Battle of Ballindalloch - Public Meeting
RESIDENTS in West Stirlingshire will have to join the Battle of Ballindalloch if they want to stop a giant windfarm being built on their doorstep.
That was the message given to a packed public meeting in Balfron on Wednesday night when 300 people from all over Stirlingshire packed into the local high school’s lecture theatre.
The audience heard expert after expert give reasons why locals should object to the plans to build the windfarm on Ballindalloch Muir.
The meeting was organised by the Endrick Valley Action Group (EVAG) – who are campaigning against energy giant npower renewables’ plans to build nine 406-feet high wind turbines only 1.1 miles from Balfron.
EVAG chairman, Gordon Adams said: “We are fighting the Battle of Ballindalloch and if people don’t want these wind turbine monstrosities on our countryside, they will have to object to the planning application for the windfarm when it goes before Stirling Council.”
A series of speakers outlined reasons why people should oppose the windfarm.
Retired electrical engineer, Norman McNab – who has spent a lifetime working in the power industry - said that in reality, windfarms were not the answer to our energy needs, as they couldn’t provide a constant flow of electricity to homes, offices and factories. Traditional power stations would still be needed to fill the gaps in electricity supply from the turbines when the wind wasn’t blowing or they were out of commission.
Another speaker, David Bruce is the author of a report called Scandal of the Braes spoke about the damage to the environment caused by the Braes of Doune windfarm and warned the same could happen at Ballindalloch.
Local resident, Liz Arthur said the construction of the windfarm could pollute the burns and streams in the Endrick Valley and endanger rare species of fish and wildlife.
The audience listened intently to a mother, Jane Davis who told how a windfarm had devastated her life. Jane and her family had to abandon their home after a windfarm was built near to their house, in Lincolnshire. The noise from the turbines meant they couldn’t get proper sleep at night and they are now renting a house five miles away.
Acoustic and ultrasonic expert, Professor Gordon Hayward produced a series of noise pattern maps, which showed how villages surrounding the windfarm could be affected by noise from the wind turbines, and challenged npower’s assumptions that noise from their windfarm would not adversely affect locals. He said there were genuine health fears from the low frequency noise emitted from wind turbines.
“We have major schools just over a mile from this windfarm and the development presents an unacceptable level of risk to our community,” he said.
EVAG chairman, Gordon Adams is also a property developer and he predicted a fall in house prices locally as people would not want to buy a home in the area if the windfarm was built because of the negative visual impact, potential of health problems from noise and environmental consequences. He even warned that some property owners might face negative equity if their house value falls below a certain level.
After the meeting – which npower refused to attend despite being invited - Mr Adams said: “The hall was packed with local people concerned about this windfarm proposal and how it is going to affect their lives, their children, their community and their countryside.
“Our wide range of expert speakers left them in no doubt the negative impact the wind turbines will have on West Stirlingshire.
"I have been overwhelmed by the amount of public support EVAG has been given and in particular that politicians of all parties have seen fit to come to the various meetings so as a proper considered judgement can be made.
“We can all see the mistakes that were made at the Braes of Doune and I am sure no-one including the government wishes to see that repeated."
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The real impact of the proposed giant windfarm on Ballindalloch Muir will be revealed at a public meeting.
The Endrick Valley Action Group (EVAG) is urging people to come along to the meeting - in the lecture theatre of Balfron High School, on
Wednesday, November 28, at 7.30pm
to hear a panel of experts speak on the negative effects the windfarm is likely to have on the community and the countryside.
EVAG was formed by villagers concerned about the impact of the nine 406-feet tall wind turbines energy giant npower renewables want to build on the West Stirlingshire countryside.
Campaign group chairman, Gordon Adams, from Balfron said: “We have called this public meeting to give people the chance to hear just how they are going to be affected by this windfarm which is planned just over a mile from Balfron.
“Local politicians from all parties have agreed to attend the meeting and experts will show professionally prepared data and images that will reveal the full negative impact of the proposed windfarm on our community.
“We have also invited npower to come along so we can have a full and frank debate about the visual impact, noise, affect on property values and health issues relating to the proposed windfarm.
“I would urge anyone who lives in the West Stirlingshire area and, in particular, the villages around Ballindalloch Muir to attend. They will be shocked to see just how this windfarm will affect them.”
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