CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to take “positive action” to stop a wind farm being built on the Stirlingshire countryside.
The Observer can reveal that concerned villagers in Balfron have this week set up an organisation called EVAG – Endrick Valley Action Group – whose leaders have pledged:
“We’ll stop these monster wind turbines spoiling our countryside.”

The first stage of their campaign is to raise awareness of the plans by energy giant, npower renewables to build nine wind turbines - each more than 400 feet high with a blade span bigger than a jumbo jet – on Ballindalloch Muir less than a mile and a half from Balfron.

Members of EVAG have produced a poster showing just how huge each of the wind turbines would be and their visual effect on the landscape in comparison to smaller structures like the Wallace Monument, in Stirling, Nelson’s Column, in London and the Statue of Liberty, in New York.

This week these posters have been put up around Balfron and EVAG members warn that this is just the opening shots in a battle against the wind farm proposals. A planning application to build the nine wind turbines is expected to be submitted to Stirling Council next month.

EVAG secretary, Mary Young said: “It would be fair to say that up till now npower has had an easy ride on their plans to build these monstrosities on our beautiful countryside. Things are about to change on that front.

“I have no doubt that when people realise exactly what is happening and the detrimental effects this wind farm will have on their lives, they will want to protest long and loud against the plans.
“EVAG has been set up to act as a vehicle for the people of Balfron and other surrounding villages, equally affected by the wind farm, to have their voices heard above the spin and slick presentation from npower.”

• Mary explained the reasons people were against the wind farm include:
•  the turbines would have an horrendous visual impact on the countryside;
• by npower’s own admission, two schools and a children’s nursery would be affected by noise from the wind farm;
•  concerns that the wind farm could have a detrimental affect on people’s health.
•  the threat to wildlife and particularly protected species of rare birds of prey;
• and property values in the Endrick Valley would plummet because of the unsightly turbines;

She said: “These nine wind turbines will spoil the natural beauty of the Endrick Valley. And members of Balfron Golf Society will get the shock of their lives when they tee off and see these Doctor Who-like monstrosities looming up in front of them as they walk round the course. It won’t make for a very pleasant round of golf.

“There is also great concern that the health of the local community could be affected by the wind farm especially as Balfron High, Balfron Primary and nursery schools are only 1.3 miles away from the wind farm.

“Even on npower’s own website, they admit on a map that the schools will be affected by the noise from the turbines. This is very worrying because experts have reported in medical studies that the low-frequency noise from wind turbines can cause headaches, nausea, tinnitus and lack of concentration.”

Mary continued: “Another issue which is particularly perplexing to locals is that the value of their properties is likely to fall because of the wind farm. After all who would want to buy a house with a wind farm for a view out their back door?
“And there is the real threat to wildlife posed by these wind farms. Only a few weeks ago a rare bird of prey - a red kite – was killed when it was struck by the blade of a wind turbine on the Braes of Doune.”

She added: “Over the next few weeks our campaign will get into top gear and we will show everyone – especially the councillors who will take the decision whether to allow the wind farm – that npower’s plans are wrong for the Endrick Valley and where they want to build their wind farm.
“We will take positive action to stop these wind turbines being built.

“Anyone who wants to know more about the effects of the proposed wind farm or wants to help out in our campaign against the wind turbines can contact me by email on evaguk'at'gmail.com* (new address) or by phone on 01360 441068.
“Don’t just leave it to others to stop the monster turbines being built. The more people who object, the more likely Stirling Council will refuse permission.”
Ends

Captions
Mary Young pic – EVAG Campaign group secretary Mary Young starts to distribute posters around Balfron.

Poster pic – The EVAG poster showing how big one of the proposed wind turbines would be in comparison to the npower anemometer already erected on Ballindalloch Muir, Nelson’s Column, the Wallace Monument and the Statue of Liberty. It also shows how the blade span is bigger than a jumbo jet.