Windfarm battle in the air

Jun 12 2009 by Jackie Grant, Dumfries Standard Friday

Windfarm battle in the air

AN ELDERLY couple feel they are fighting a losing battle against a windfarm company which wants to erect 400ft high turbines right behind their home.

Dick and Olive Repton have lived at Auchencairn Farm near Thornhill for 38 years, but say their quality of life and the value of their property will go downhill if Acciona Energy goes ahead with its plans to submit an application for a 20-turbine windfarm one kilometre away from their home.

Olive, 77, and 86-year-old Dick already have to live with a constant “humming” sound from the 15-turbine Dalswinton windfarm, and say any more would “seriously affect their lives”. Olive told the Standard: “We get a lot of noise from Dalswinton already and you can’t escape it. There is a constant vibration and all we hear in bed at night is a humming sound as though a train is approaching.

“Another windfarm would be beyond a joke. We have always loved living here and enjoyed the peace and quiet.

“Another one would also be bound to affect the value of our property.

“There’s not much we can do until the planning application goes in except gather our forces and be ready to fight.

“We know we are probably going to be fighting a losing battle, and I didn’t expect to spend my old age fighting something like this, but this land is precious and irreplaceable, and I would do anything to protect it for future generations.”

Spanish company Acciona Energy has already submitted a Proposal of Application Notice to Dumfries and Galloway Council and intend to submit a full application in the autumn.

But Closeburn residents are also supporting the Reptons in their objections to the windfarm, and community council secretary Mike Steele said this week: “We have formed a group called Closeburn Against Turbines to fight the developers and are being joined by community councils across Nithsdale.

“There are already over 340 turbines planned within 35 km of Closeburn with another 230 in the planning pipeline. We cannot see how Nithsdale can cope with more turbines with local windfarms at Dalswinton and Moniaive and a 71-turbine windfarm coming into Ae Forest shortly.

“Acciona don't seem to realise the damage their turbines will do to the beauty of Mid Nithsdale, yet this scheme will industrialise the valley. Villagers are really angry as the backdrop to Closeburn Church will be turbines, turbines and more turbines.”

A spokesperson from Acciona Energy said: “We are committed to consulting with the local communities that surround our proposed Auchencairn windfarm and this week have held public exhibitions in Closeburn and Thornhill.

“We understand that some people may have concerns about the possible impacts the development may have. We currently have an independent company carrying out an environmental impact assessment which will thoroughly examine the impact the development, if approved, may have.

“We are committed to developing projects sensitively and with consideration for local communities.”