Eskdalemuir windfarm plans dampened by MOD

Feb 17 2010 by Patricia Lewis, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

WIND farm development plans in Eskdalemuir have been hampered by the Ministry of Defence.

A number of projects which are still being considered for approval by the council will now also have to appease the MOD before they can go ahead.

The defence organisation revealed this week that it was concerned about the number of wind farms springing up around one of its sites. They said that vibrations from too many wind turbines would disrupt equipment at the Eskdalemuir Seismological Recording Station.

The station uses highly sensitive equipment to record earthquake and underground nuclear testing activity around the world.

A spokesperson for the MOD said: “It was established a few years ago that the wind turbines caused problems with the work at the centre. A limit was set to how many wind turbines could be built within a certain distance of the centre. This capacity has now been reached.

“We have been speaking to individuals and companies behind projects and are trying to reach a solution.”

Dampeners to reduce vibrations is one option the MOD are discussing with businesses.

A reduction in turbine numbers is also being considered.

The MOD refused to comment on which companies they were in talks with.

MP David Mundell who has been campaigning against wind farm developments in the area said: “The MOD has been totally inconsistent on this issue. They have allowed massive windfarms to go ahead, including the Clyde wind farm which is the biggest in the UK.

“Now they seem to be getting very excited about this and are wanting to stop farmers putting up individual turbines. They should have had a clear policy from the start.

“However, whatever the MOD is doing, it doesn’t detract from the fact that in this area we have taken a very large amount of wind farm developments and I am very concerned about the cumulative impact of all that development.

“The issue now is whether it is appropriate to bring any more development into this area when we have so much already.”

The council is currently considering five wind farm projects in the Annandale and Eskdale area.

Other developments in the nearby Scottish Borders will also be affected by the MOD’s concerns.