Date: 19 May 2009 BROCKLEBANK URGES NORTH EAST FIFE AREA COMMITTEE TO REJECT THE PROPOSED WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT AT GATHERCAULD Commenting on news that the Gathercauld wind farm application is due to come before the North East Fife Area Committee, at their meeting on 17th June, Ted Brocklebank, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said;
“For more than three years the local community has been vociferous in its objections to EnergieKontor’s proposal to build a wind farm at Gathercauld. I welcome the news that the North East Fife Area Committee will finally have the opportunity to reject the proposal at their meeting on 17th June.
“The development would have a substantial impact on the character of the landscape and would undoubtedly become an overbearing and defining feature of the area. The site is part of an ‘Area of Great Landscape Value’, as designated by the finalised Fife Local Plan for St Andrews and North East Fife, and a wind farm development would surely be at odds with this designation. The National Trust for Scotland and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland have been consulted on the proposed development and have rightly lodged their objections, as have four local community Councils.
“One of the principal justifications for wind farms is that they cut greenhouse gas emissions. However, in their own environmental statement, EnergieKontor has admitted that the success of wind turbines in reducing CO2 emissions is uncertain. It is estimated that the turbines will deliver only 26% of the installed capacity, creating a relatively insignificant amount of electricity. It is clear that any benefit gained from the wind farm will be minor and will in no way compensate for the scarring of the landscape.
“I congratulate the local communities in the area for continuing to fight against EnergieKontor’s development and I urge the North East Fife Area Committee to reject the plans for Gathercauld.”
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