Glenvernoch – Hands Off Our Hills are Making Their Voices Heard
A gathering of approximately 150 people filled The Hive at Glentrool for an open event hosted by Energiekontor, a German renewable energy company.
Glenvernoch Wind Farm – and Industrial Wind Site proposed by Energiekontor a company which aimed to gauge public opinion on the proposed construction of an 18-turbine wind farm on nearby moorland. However, the organisers had an unsuccessful search for any supporters among the attendees.
Many of them were from groups such as Hands Off Our Hills and eagerly completed feedback forms, which ran out so quickly that more were required. Hive project manager Billie Jones obliged and printed off 90 forms in total upon request.
Neil Skelton, a resident of Bargrennan living less than a mile from the potential wind farm site, helped create a four-page pamphlet for Hands Off Our Hills.
He told the Local News that he had pondered:
“How can we win against these sites?”, and had conducted his research to inform people. He expressed his deep affection for the area he lived in and revealed:
“I have had enough of being battered by the political system. If this goes through I can’t stay here. The wind turbines are the final straw.”
Mr Skelton further explained, “All the walks I go on won’t be the same and there will be a terrible impact on nature and wildlife. I was for wind turbines before but now I would object to any more because it’s all about money. They have enough sites already.”
Despite his reservations, Mr Skelton found solace in the strength of feelings people held and expressed the hope that victory over the project is possible.
Another local resident, Barry Donnan boldly stated his opinion as the event kicked off, earning him a round of applause.
In his address to the Energiekontor delegation, he stated, “I just think there’s no point in beating about the bush.” He continued, “And I don’t think there is any way this is going to happen.”
Mr Donnan went on to express that he believes the land and landscape are being underestimated, and that he believes the community will come together to stop the project.
In an interview with the Local News, Donnan drew parallels between this campaign and the Mullwharchar campaign, making it clear that there will be a fight. As a parent originally from Dalmellington, Donnan has a special connection to the hills and has been walking them since he was 14.
Nick Biggins, from Kirkcudbright, was unimpressed by display boards showing the turbines as tiny objects on the horizon. Mr Biggins said:
“The exhibition is cheap and insignificant,It does not tell us anything. It’s underwhelming, disappointing and of no use.”
Lynne Hardman, from Old Minnigaff, said: “It is what we expected as a PR exercise. It’s a bit thin – there were expectations of a 3D model but that’s not transpired. People wanted to see the scale of what they were dealing with. The level of feeling is overriding what they are trying to convey.”
Chris Smyth, from Urrall, near Kirkcowan, also opposed the Glenvernoch scheme.
He said: “We already have a big strip of wind turbine developments from Barlockart near Glenluce right to Barrhill. We can hear a low grumble from them over the back of us all the time.
When these turbines were joined into one continuous strip I thought that was it. But now they are planning more north of Newton Stewart.”
Energiekontor project manager for Glenvernoch Wind Farm, George Oldroyd, accepted the turnout had been much bigger than he expected.
He said: “I have done six so far with Energiekontor and four or five others. But this is the biggest one I have done. I was aware it would be busy and had anticipated perhaps 50 people. So to hear a figure of more than 100 people does not surprise me.”
When asked by a local news reporter if any support for Glenvernoch Wind Farm had been expressed for the scheme, he said:
“I’m not aware of anybody being in favour. People have been saying there’s enough turbines, that it’s saturation.That was one of the main reasons for objections. We will take away the points from here and go through the consultation feedback forms, and the constructive criticisms of the design.”
“We are awaiting a scoping opinion from the Scottish Government and the results of the public consultation. It’s looking like there will be another alteration to the design. Subject to the scoping opinion and what the Scottish Government says we would then look towards the planning application stage and hold another public meeting. There could be three or four design changes.”
Asked what would happen if there was 100 per cent local opposition,
Mr Oldroyd said: “We are governed by national and local policy.”
Hands off Our Hills will stand united in fighting, it is our aim to stop any new proposed Wind Farms including the one at Glenvernoch from being consturcted within the Galloway Hills. Should you wish to get involved with our campaign please visit our contact page for further information.