Hands Off Our Hills

Campaigning Against The Industrial Wind Farms Nr Newton Stewart

Industrial Turbines The Breakdown 1024 576 Hands Off Our Hills

Industrial Turbines The Breakdown

Industrial wind turbines consist of various components, each of substantial dimensions in its own right. Typically, members of the public only encounter the complete industrial turbine once it has been fully assembled, often overlooking the considerable size of its individual parts. Hands Off Our Hills has diligently disassembled an 820ft (250m) turbine into distinct sections, presenting them through interactive 3D models below. It is worth observing the scale, exemplified by the inclusion of a woman with her pet cat in each representation the woman measures 5ft 7in.

To navigate each component, please use your mouse or touchscreen capabilities.

To Drag or Move Model: Press and Hold Right Mouse Button or Use Two Fingers
To Zoom in and out: Use Mouse Scroll Wheel or Use Finger to Pinch Zoom
To Spin Model: Move Mouse Up and Down or Left and Right, Use One Finger In Same Manner.

Please be advised that these are comprehensive 3D renderings, and consequently, the download duration may extend up to one minute based on your internet speed. Consequently, we recommend accessing these models via WiFi rather than through your Mobile Data, unless your data plan accommodates the download of multiple sizable files.

Industrial Turbine Split Into Sections:

INDUSTRIAL TURBINE GEAR HOUSING:

Industrial Turbine Rotor Hub

INDUSTRIAL TURBINE BLADE

Blair Hill Wind Farm – Proposal At Wigtown County 810 539 Hands Off Our Hills

Blair Hill Wind Farm – Proposal At Wigtown County

BLAIR HILL WIND FARM – A large number of local people arrived  at the Wigtown County Buildings to view the proposals for aN Industrial Turbine SITE (BLAIR HILL WIND FARM) development in the Galloway Hills.

Blair Hill a proposed developement by RES held a public engagement event on Wednesday, which came after another one at Newton Stewart on Tuesday.

RES, who are based in Hertfordshire, are looking to construct 22 turbines up to 820 feet high around Blair Hill. It is proposed for moorland and woodland north of Old Minnigaff.

In Wigtown, Hands Off Our Hills members held a vigil outside as the event began.

Wigtown man Tony Riden said: “I have worked in nature conservation for 35 years and am a member of Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the Scottish Ornithology Club and the RSPB.  The moor is precious habitat and home to species like golden eagle, curlew, marsh harrier, golden plover and redshank.  There has also been black grouse recorded on Barclye Moor.

In the hall, construction worker David Cannon, also from Wigtown, was undecided.

He said: “I’m on the fence about the whole thing. I see it from a construction point of view and the work it would bring to the firm I would work for and other firms round about.

“But I know the turbines are very much in your face and I can understand the arguments why they are unacceptable.

Pam Hughes from Newton Stewart was firmly against.

She said: “I’m stone mad. What about all the peat beds getting dug out for the turbine foundations? The water that the peat would otherwise soak up running into the rivers?”

Blair Hill - Campaigners hold their placards against the proposed site.
Campaigners: Angela and Sheron Not Only Fighting The Turbines But Also The Weather

Arthur Scott, also from Wigtown, wanted people to ask a question.

Who benefits from this?

Morag Donnan, from Sorbie, said: “I’m angry. They state there’s a nature crisis and trying to preserve all these rare species in their natural habitats.

“Yet these huge great machines are going to be brought in. All this concrete they are going to pour is going to affect all the water courses.”

Heather Bourne, from Polbae near the Knowe, lives close to Kilgallioch Wind Farm.

 “The turbines sound like a jet engine with a whoosh. I wake up suddenly at night and I don’t know why. I’m horrified at this.”

The Galloway News did find one woman who was very much in favour but she did not wish to be quoted.

An RES spokesperson said afterwards: “We’re still in the early stages of designing the proposed Blair Hill Wind Farm and the feedback received will be used to help refine the proposals.

“We would like to thank everyone for attending and for showing an interest in the project. RES has lots of experience of using the local supply chain in Dumfries and Galloway to construct wind farms and if consented, we expect the project would invest in excess of £6 million in the local economy. During the operational life of the windfarm it would also pay around £1.5 million in business rates, every year, supporting vital local services.”

He went on to say “We look forward to working with the community as we progress the proposals, to discuss the design as it evolves and to understand how the community would like to benefit from the proposed community benefits package, which could include our Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS).”

Glenvernoch – Hands Off Our Hills are Making Their Voices Heard  800 525 Hands Off Our Hills

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.

Glenvernoch campaigner Barry Donnan showing his objections with placards
Campaigner: Barry Donnan Showing his objections with placards

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.”

Glenvernoch Wind Farm Project Manager George Oldroys
Energiekontor Representative/Project Manager: George Oldroys

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.

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