This special additional edition of our newsletter contains summaries of the presentations at our annual general meeting in November 2003 and of the ensuing discussion. It also includes a map provided by Bob Neish of the Ochils Environmental Protection Group which illustrates the extent of interest in the eastern Ochils as a site for wind power developments. In a rapidly changing scene, the map is already out of date in some of its detail, but not in its portrayal of intense interest by developers in these largely unprotected areas.
Where does FotO stand on this? We have to be clear that - in keeping with our constitution - our concern is about the impact of development on the landscape and the public experience of the landscape. While we are unpersuaded about the true economics, the contribution to greenhouse gas reduction and the logistics of supply management using an unpredictable and intermittent power source, and while we have concerns about the ecological impact, we regard these as matters best argued by more specialist groups. Our concern is that large clusters of wind turbines, along with the access roads required for construction and maintenance, would have a major impact upon the landscape and upon our experience of it.
The government is determined to have a lot more wind turbines, but no strategy has been created to guide their location - hence the rash of proposals illustrated in the map on the back page. Not all of these will get planning permission. Probably only one or two will receive permission, but there is no guarantee that these will be the "best" ones. To add to the messiness, planning permission is different for proposals under 50 megawatts, which are decided by local authorities, and those over 50MW, which go to the Scottish Executive for a decision.
In theory, wind power seems like a good thing. In practice, it looks to be a lot less straightforward. There are many negative factors to set against the positive one of a limited amount of less polluting electricity generation. Other companies and organisations will make their cases, pro and anti, on economic, engineering, ecological and global-environmental grounds. FotO needs to speak clearly and independently for the landscape of the hills.
Wind "farms" are industrial enterprises. FotO does not believe that they are appropriate in any part of the Ochils west of Dunning Glen. Further east there may be some possibility of siting one or two wind power stations in areas of subdued landscape or where industrial-scale uses such as plantation forestry already predominate. We would not, however, be prepared to accept any specific proposal without giving careful consideration to its potential landscape impact.
For those wishing further information, there are numerous, often obviously biased, websites. The following list provides a starting point with links to numerous other sites:
Scottish Parliament online wind power forum:
http://www.communitypeople.net/interactive/wind.asp
Ochils Environmental Protection Group: http://www.oepg.org.uk
Alliance in favour of windfarms:
and the Scottish Parliament Renewable Energy Inquiry, convened by Alasdair Morgan MSP, opened on 13 November 2003.
Disclaimer - Other than in this editorial, the views expressed here are those heard at the AGM - from the speakers who gave presentations, and from the ensuing floor-of-the-meeting discussion. FotO has made no attempt to check the veracity or validity of any statements.