CAMPAIGNERS have challenged the energy company who wants to build another windfarm on the Stirlingshire countryside to agree to pay for the medical care of anyone whose health is affected by the giant wind turbines.

The Endrick Valley Action Group (EVAG) has issued a “put your money where your mouth is” ultimatum to npower renewables – the company who wants to build nine turbines each more than 400 feet tall on Ballindalloch Muir, only 1.2 miles from the village of Balfron.

The demand from EVAG – who are campaigning against the windfarm proposals – is the latest move in the row over whether noise and low frequency vibration from wind turbines has an effect on people living near windfarms.

EVAG say there is mounting medical and scientific evidence from around the world that the noise from the giant turbines, particularly low frequency noise, can cause headaches and other ailments in people living near windfarms.

The campaign group is particularly concerned about the health of the 1000-plus children who attend Balfron’s secondary, primary and nursery schools, which are among the closest buildings to the proposed windfarm.

EVAG chairman, Gordon Adams, from Balfron said: “There is a huge amount of evidence from scientists and medical experts who say the various forms of noise from wind turbines can cause health problems for people living nearby.

“However, all through the recent consultation process, npower have claimed people will not be bothered by the noise from these monster wind turbines they are planning to build on our countryside. And they also deny there will be any health problems caused by the windfarm.

“If npower are so confident of this, we are calling for them to put their money where their mouth is and sign a legally binding indemnity against children at the local schools and anyone in the community becoming ill from the effects of the turbines.”

Mr Adams added: “EVAG’s lawyer's can draw up an indemnity agreement if npower and their parent company will agree to the principle, which would mean anyone who has health problems caused by the proposed wind turbines would have their medical bills paid by npower.”

EVAG also says the proposed windfarm will be seen for miles around in all directions creating a negative visual impact on the scenery of the countryside and harming tourism in Stirlingshire.
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