Western Isles windfarm application



D

Duncan Gray

Guest
As Chris and I were discussing in the F&M thread, a planning application has
been made to build a massive windfarm on the Isle of Lewis.

While it is obviously difficult to argue against generation of power by
green means, I think this is unacceptable in an area of outstanding beauty
and environmental sensitivity.

The proposed windfarm stretches over about 40km and would have 234 turbines.
The applicants have produced an environmental study which estimates 50
golden eagles and many other birds will die during the lifespan of the
windfarm, which will be 25 years

The scale of it can be judgesd from the map on
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/windfarms/lewis.html
There are links on the page leading to more information.

As the scheme would lie almost entirely within The Lewis Peatlands Special
Protection Area, classified under the European Council Directive on the
Conservation of Wild Birds, the application will be judged by the Scottish
Executive, not the local council.

My objection is based on the following arguments:
1. The Executive should defend the Special Protection Area and resist
incursions like these.
2. In global terms, this is going to have an insignificant effect on climate
change. Tourism is a major industry in the area, and the attraction there is
the scenery. The scenic beauty will be considerably diminished by mile after
mile of wind turbines. We should not be sacrificing our industries while
other countries, and you know the one I have in mind, continue to pollute to
protect their industries.
3. There is a desperate need for a long term energy strategy. As well as
this application, there are other plans to build power lines across wild
land in the Highlands and rebuild the connecting line southwards. There
needs to be a strategy in place before applications of such scale and
sensitivity should be considered.


If anyone else wants to make an objection, the appropriate e-mail address is
on the above web page. It has to be submitted by next monday, the 13th.

--
Duncan Gray

www.duncolm.co.uk
also The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk
 
Duncan Gray wrote:

> While it is obviously difficult to argue against generation of power by
> green means


Not really: power generation by any means is considerably less green
than improving energy efficiency and no needing the extra power to start
with!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 13:38:58 -0000, "Duncan Gray" <[email protected]>
wrote:

| As Chris and I were discussing in the F&M thread, a planning application has
| been made to build a massive windfarm on the Isle of Lewis.

I rather like the look of modern windfarms.
IMO they are quite visually attractive.

--
Dave F
 
On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 13:38:58 -0000, "Duncan Gray"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>The proposed windfarm stretches over about 40km and would have 234 turbines.
>The applicants have produced an environmental study which estimates 50
>golden eagles and many other birds will die during the lifespan of the
>windfarm, which will be 25 years


How many Islanders will die within the same period?
 
On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 13:38:58 -0000, "Duncan Gray"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>As Chris and I were discussing in the F&M thread, a planning application has
>been made to build a massive windfarm on the Isle of Lewis.
>
>While it is obviously difficult to argue against generation of power by
>green means, I think this is unacceptable in an area of outstanding beauty
>and environmental sensitivity.

I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description as
an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.
The island's endless peat bog terrain interspersed with Lewisian
gneiss boulders and minimal elevation which is blasted by 30mph -
60mph winds regularly throughout the year would seem to be an ideal
location for a wind farm.

Considering that we are surrounded by sea one would think that more
effort would be put into making use of this natural resource for
generating electricity.

Norman
 
"Norman" <[email protected]> wrote in #

> I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description

as
> an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
> ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
> less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.
> The island's endless peat bog terrain interspersed with Lewisian
> gneiss boulders and minimal elevation which is blasted by 30mph -
> 60mph winds regularly throughout the year would seem to be an ideal
> location for a wind farm.
>
> Considering that we are surrounded by sea one would think that more
> effort would be put into making use of this natural resource for
> generating electricity.
>

We have recently seen a proposal for a small windfarm knocked into
touch in this area (north of Lincoln). It would appear that whilst
most people regard the theory of clean energy to be admirable, any
such proposal is met with violent Nimbyism when it happens to be
within view. I understand that for it to make any impact on the
National Grid this form of renewable energy would have to make a
massive impact on the eye. If Lewis is not acceptable then where is?
The form of energy can neither be located in wild (too beautiful) or
rural/urban (too damaging to house prices!) areas.

Graham
 
In article <[email protected]>, spongebob
<[email protected]> writes
>
>"Norman" <[email protected]> wrote in #
>
>> I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description

>as
>> an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
>> ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
>> less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.
>> The island's endless peat bog terrain interspersed with Lewisian
>> gneiss boulders and minimal elevation which is blasted by 30mph -
>> 60mph winds regularly throughout the year would seem to be an ideal
>> location for a wind farm.
>>
>> Considering that we are surrounded by sea one would think that more
>> effort would be put into making use of this natural resource for
>> generating electricity.
>>

>We have recently seen a proposal for a small windfarm knocked into
>touch in this area (north of Lincoln). It would appear that whilst
>most people regard the theory of clean energy to be admirable, any
>such proposal is met with violent Nimbyism when it happens to be
>within view. I understand that for it to make any impact on the
>National Grid this form of renewable energy would have to make a
>massive impact on the eye. If Lewis is not acceptable then where is?
>The form of energy can neither be located in wild (too beautiful) or
>rural/urban (too damaging to house prices!) areas.
>


Build them underground ;-)

--

Dominic Sexton
http://www.dscs.demon.co.uk/
 
On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 20:43:36 GMT, [email protected] (Norman) wrote:

>I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description as
>an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
>ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
>less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.


I agree with this bit - it's not the sort of scenery I like.

>The island's endless peat bog terrain interspersed with Lewisian
>gneiss boulders and minimal elevation which is blasted by 30mph -
>60mph winds regularly throughout the year would seem to be an ideal
>location for a wind farm.


It would be an even more ideal location for a nuclear power station:
this would have the advantage of actually producing a meaningful
amount of power! And it could be covered in turf...

--

R
o
o
n
e
y
 
"Rooney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 20:43:36 GMT, [email protected] (Norman) wrote:
>
> >I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description as
> >an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
> >ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
> >less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.

>
> I agree with this bit - it's not the sort of scenery I like.
>
> >The island's endless peat bog terrain interspersed with Lewisian
> >gneiss boulders and minimal elevation which is blasted by 30mph -
> >60mph winds regularly throughout the year would seem to be an ideal
> >location for a wind farm.

>
> It would be an even more ideal location for a nuclear power station:
> this would have the advantage of actually producing a meaningful
> amount of power! And it could be covered in turf...
>

But the Western Isles doesn't need all that power. Your nuclear power
station could probably be built more cheaply close to where the demand for
electricity is, and save all that transmission loss through hundreds of
miles of cable.
 
In Article <[email protected]>,"Duncan Gray"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>But the Western Isles doesn't need all that power. Your nuclear power
>station could probably be built more cheaply close to where the demand for
>electricity is, and save all that transmission loss through hundreds of
>miles of cable.


Excellent idea, can I suggest Slough ;)

Regards,
Richard G.
 
On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 22:06:03 -0000, "Duncan Gray"
<[email protected]> wrote:


>But the Western Isles doesn't need all that power. Your nuclear power
>station could probably be built more cheaply close to where the demand for
>electricity is, and save all that transmission loss through hundreds of
>miles of cable.


I'm not technically minded, Duncan.
But does cabling it really lose much energy?


--

R
o
o
n
e
y
 
Duncan Gray <[email protected]> writes
>>

>But the Western Isles doesn't need all that power. Your nuclear power
>station could probably be built more cheaply close to where the demand for
>electricity is, and save all that transmission loss through hundreds of
>miles of cable.
>
>

You mean the transmission line from Mainland to the Outer isles.
I agree with a previous OP re the general scenery on Lewis being so
bloody drab, some nice beaches though.
Though the laybyes seem to have a copious number of bottles chucked
about and there seems a high number of scrap motors present around the
island
BUT i would be incandescent if the views to be seen from around the
Standing stones at Callanish were affected by any sighting of 20/21st
century artefacts. Or for that matter Carloway Brock

The problem is that modern man wants modern conveniences which require
some form of power distribution,
There is a valid case for better thermal efficiency needed in some
properties
anywhere even on the mainland
There is a case for looking into our less than efficient use of power
at the moment.
But we as a nation still have to look at the long term generation and
distribution of power from whatever means is viable
--
superted
 
On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 22:56:54 +0000, superted <[email protected]>
wrote:

>a high number of scrap motors present


All the islands there that I've visited are like that. You can see the
motoring history of lots of farms - an ancient black Austin with those
indicators that come up out of the side, then on through various 60s
and 70s models, Cortinas, old Minis, gradually moving into the
hatchback era, and so on. And numerous decrepit tractors, of course.

Which reminds me: my first visit to Barra, in the pub at Castlebay. I
got chatting to the barmaid about island life. I asked about crime - a
fair number of burglaries, I was told. And what about violent crime?
At that point an incredibly vicious fight broke out, with one guy
getting his face beaten to a pulp and then getting thrown down the
stone steps outside; so the barmaid never got the chance to answer my
question.

--

R
o
o
n
e
y
 
Norman wrote:

> I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description as
> an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
> ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
> less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.


The Cairngorm Plateau is hardly inspiring to look at from a lot of
angles. Does that mean it's okay to build on it?

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
sgrìobh Duncan Gray

>
>"Rooney" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Thu, 09 Dec 2004 20:43:36 GMT, [email protected] (Norman) wrote:
>>
>> >I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description as
>> >an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
>> >ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
>> >less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.

>>
>> I agree with this bit - it's not the sort of scenery I like.
>>
>> >The island's endless peat bog terrain interspersed with Lewisian
>> >gneiss boulders and minimal elevation which is blasted by 30mph -
>> >60mph winds regularly throughout the year would seem to be an ideal
>> >location for a wind farm.

>>
>> It would be an even more ideal location for a nuclear power station:
>> this would have the advantage of actually producing a meaningful
>> amount of power! And it could be covered in turf...
>>

>But the Western Isles doesn't need all that power. Your nuclear power
>station could probably be built more cheaply close to where the demand for
>electricity is, and save all that transmission loss through hundreds of
>miles of cable.
>
>

The trouble is that in places of high employment, the natives are very
keen to get the work. Look at Dounreay or the Holy Loch US Naval base,
there was major alarm at the demise of these operations.

Ask the locals, not the white settlers and I would imagine that the
majority would be in favour of the project.

BTW, I am not.

As an aside, if they did get the go ahead, all you would have to do
would be put fluorescent yellow wire round the blades, rather like the
domestic fans with their wire guards that protect little fingers.

This would stop the blending of blood and feathers in an inappropriate
manner for the continued existence of our avian friends.
--
Lachie.
Hezakiah 14:10 Na sanntaich na caoirich do choimhearsnaich, oir tha'n
Tighearna do Dhia 'n a Dhia eudmhor...
 
Lachie wrote:
>
> Ask the locals, not the white settlers and I would imagine that the
> majority would be in favour of the project.


In the NW the "white settlers" often /are/ the locals. You don't give
up the ratrace to become a crofter because it's some easy option, and
places like the Yorkshire Dales are more attractive as venues for
retirement to the country.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email protected] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
 
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 08:45:30 +0000, Peter Clinch
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Norman wrote:
>
>> I am surprised that the Isle of Lewis has inspired the description as
>> an area of outstanding beauty. When I visited the island a few years
>> ago I thought it was the least attractive of the Western Isles being
>> less appealing than its more southern half, Isle of Harris.

>
>The Cairngorm Plateau is hardly inspiring to look at from a lot of
>angles. Does that mean it's okay to build on it?
>
>Pete.

Yes, I suppose it would be fair game for a proposed site if the
necessity arose.
Some thoughts on the subject:
I understand that when the wind generators are past their useful life
they can be dismantled and the area returned to its previous state
within a few days. This contrasts greatly with any mining areas or
nuclear sites. Sellafield is likely to remain a no-go area for
hundreds of years after decomissioning. If there was ever a
substantial fuel leak, the Lake District would most likely be closed
for centuries.
It has taken 20 yrs to grass over mining waste in South Yorkshire.

Hydro electric plants have spawned miles of huge pipelines.

If a wind turbine fell over it would probably be a source of amusement
to the locals and be discussed in the pub ad infinitum.

I wouldn't mind one near me if it supplied me with cheaper
electricity.
For about £2000 per head all houses could be equipped with solar
panels, invertors, batteries etc to make us all virtually self
sufficient in electricity for most of the year.


Norman
 
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 14:12:08 GMT, Norman wrote:

>If a wind turbine fell over it would probably be a source of amusement
>to the locals and be discussed in the pub ad infinitum.


"Oooh arr, I remember when that there windymill fell on top of old
Jonesey's place and killed him and the missus and their bairns....."

>I wouldn't mind one near me if it supplied me with cheaper
>electricity.


Typically they don't. It's only viable because of the grants and
incentives the government are using to push renewables so that they
can meet the quota for renewable sources of power, except of couse
they are failing to meet the quota for greenhouse gasses.

>For about £2000 per head all houses could be equipped with solar
>panels, invertors, batteries etc to make us all virtually self
>sufficient in electricity for most of the year.


Add in better insulation, smaller offices, shops with doors (remember
them?) and gadgets with off switches and we could get by with about
half the electricity we think we need.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"
 
In article <[email protected]>, Norman
<[email protected]> writes
>I understand that when the wind generators are past their useful life
>they can be dismantled and the area returned to its previous state
>within a few days.


The turbine itself could be but the huge concrete base takes a lot of
removing - if they choose to do so...

[snip]
>
>I wouldn't mind one near me if it supplied me with cheaper
>electricity.


But you won't get it cheaper.

>For about £2000 per head all houses could be equipped with solar
>panels, invertors, batteries etc to make us all virtually self
>sufficient in electricity for most of the year.


I doubt that even for houses with a southerly aspect to one of the roof
slopes.

Have you any idea how many batteries it would take to power the average
home's electricity need in the hours of darkness? Lighting would likely
not be a problem but things like kettles, electric showers and ovens
draw quite a bit of juice.

How often would the batteries need replacing and at what cost (for
maintenance free cells it can get quite expensive)?

How about homes with proportionally less roof area e.g. flats?

--

Dominic Sexton
http://www.dscs.demon.co.uk/