A public meeting organised by EVAG was held on 28th November 2007 in the High School, Balfron.  We were delighted with the attendance on the night – a full house. Presentations by engineers and environmentalists, were excellently delivered on a variety of topics – profits and losses, wind power, environment, landscape, noise impact, noise assessment, property prices and steps to objecting. EVAG would like to thank the guest speakers and everyone who helped in any way.  We would also like to thank everybody who came to the meeting and who not only made the evening a success but who have subsequently informed so many other people within the community. The feedback which we have received, and continue to receive on a daily basis, is tremendous.  It gives encouragement to us at EVAG and we, in turn, can continue to hearten the community. Npower were invited to attend, but declined. Had the company chosen to attend, various questions, compiled from within the locality, would have been asked.  On 3 December, those questions were tabled to npower, followed by reminder letters.  We heard from npower on 18 January to say that they had not received the initial letter. The correspondence has been sent again. The questions which were tabled to them are as follows:-
Questions Which Would Have Been Asked of npower-renewables at This Meeting  and Which Now Will Be Tabled To Them
1.    As the whole community would be giving up its visual and landscape amenity, what would the whole community gain from this project? 2.    The scoping report states that the closest turbine is located 1.8km east of Balfron.  The latest lay-out and grid references show the closest turbine much nearer to the village.  Why is this? 3.    Is it usual for a windfarm to be sited as close to an institution as this proposed site would be? 4.    There is a growing amount of information from eminent medical and scientific professions with regard to health issues as a result of these large turbines.  What reassurances can you give the community that our children will be safe at the local schools? 5.    At the meeting with Community Councils on 30th May, you stated that the reason for reducing the number of turbines from 12 to 9 was ‘grasslands and water courses’.  In the question and answer session at the meeting on 12 June you said that the reason for the reduction was because of ‘noise and visual impact’. Can you explain a.    Which is the correct reason? b.    What the difference in noise will be, in decibel rating, from 12 to 9, both for c.    individual turbines and for the aggregate of the windfarm, together with the d.    difference in visual impact of 12 to 9 400’ turbines? 6.    You stated on your information boards at the exhibition ‘noise levels from turbines are generally low and, under most operating conditions, it is likely that turbine noise would be masked by background noise such as wind passing through trees’.  What trees?  You have already said you are going to chop the trees down. 7.    One of the guiding principles of the National Planning Policy Guidelines 6 entitled ‘Renewable Energy Developments’ is that of minimising the effects on local communities’. In the scoping report, you state ‘the site has a number of attributes which have allowed npower to design a windfarm with minimum environmental effects and high energy output.’ What do you consider a) minimum environmental effects and b) high energy output, ie what is the likely output now that the anemometer has been up for over a year? 8.    With regard to the reports concerning the Braes of Doune, in particular ‘Scandal on the Braes’, what guarantees can you give the community on post development problems?  Would you be prepared to lodge a bond for a post-development clean up, the estimated clean up costs at the Braes of Doune being £1M. 9.    Unlike the Braes of Doune development, which is on the side of a hill, your turbines will be seen from a 360o radius – what do you say about the scar on the landscape and the consequent visual impact on protected views which bring tourists from all over the world? 10.    How many miles of connecting roads will be required between the 9 turbines? 11.    How can the community get a clear view of what your turbines will look like at say half a mile away? Do your photomontages give a representative image? 12.    Where will those wildlife whose habitat is the wooded areas, or those reliant on upland habitats, relocate? 13.    To what extent will the Ballindalloch Muir windfarm be subsidised from public funds? 14.    Is the ground leased or bought by npower? 15.    If properties are devalued either as a direct result of noise, loss of amenity, or as a result of the turbines being so close to villages/schools, will you compensate these house owners, as is being suggested by the Danish Government? 16.    What is the life expectancy of the turbines, the gearbox in particular, before replacement is necessary? 17.    Why, on your website, are there links to which one either can’t gain access, or which have a threatening ‘NO ENTRY’ or ‘Enter at Your Own Risk’ sign? 18.    With regard to public consultation, would you confirm that when the results have been completed, the report will be forwarded to the community from whichever independent body will be compiling it?