NEWS
There are planning applications affecting Moray & the surrounding area that need your objections NOW, click here to see more
12th May 2010
All quiet on the Northern Front.. at the moment. For how long we don't know. In the meantime there is another wind farm action group who has asked us to publicise an event they are planning.
Invitation to join the ‘Save the Border Hills’ Walk
For many years now, Lammermuir residents and local Councils have campaigned furiously against North British Windpower’s (NBW) proposed Fallago Rig Wind Farm in the Scottish Borders. All objections to the proposed plans have been ignored by the Scottish Government and this must change.
Please come and join our ‘Save the Border Hills’ Walk taking place on 12th June 2010 at Penshiel, Cranshaws, Duns. The event will be signposted from Cranshaws, Longformacus and Gifford. All welcome, including dogs on leads. Please arrive by 9.30am. Full route will be approx. 9 miles (option to do smaller distance available if you wish). Free T-shirts, half-way snacks and complimentary burger and drinks at the finish.
Your presence and support would be greatly appreciated. This uniquely beautiful part of Scotland is already saturated with these monstrous industrial structures. We don’t need any more. Together we can make the Government sit-up and take notice of our cause.
From wind farm to wind factory: Say NO to more wind turbines in the Scottish Borders.Queries / questions please ring 01361 890 350 / 01361 890 670 or e-mail jontallymac@aol.com
13th November 2009
Infinergy claim "SOS Moray slammed for false advertising claims about Dorenell Wind Farm."
Oh dear, oh dear.. Infinergy made the complaint some 3 months after our leaflet was published. Hmm.. do you think this was timed nicely to make some damaging PR just before the local council voted on the proposal?? If our leaflet was so utterly misleading (which it was not), then surely they would have objected the moment it came out?
The council voted to object because the proposal contravened the Local Plan. Simples!
Anyway, talk about the pot calling the kettle black... Infinergy have been "slammed" in the past for making misleading claims about other wind farms they've tried to develop.
This fight could start to get dirty!
13th October 2009
The Moray Council planning committee held a special meeting this afternoon to consider their response to the S36 application for the Dorenell Wind Farm. The planning officer had recommended refusal mainly on the basis that the application was in a designated Area of Great Landscape Value and therefore the application was outwith the preferred area for wind farms as set out in The Moray Local Plan. In the end, with three councillors not present and one who abstained the vote was 4 - 4 and the council voted to object to the application based on the chairmans casting vote who agreed with the planning officer.
Funny thing though there were 4 SNP councillors present..... and 4 people who voted to approve the application.... SNP block voting perhaps??
We now move on to the Public Enquiry... This is not the beginning of the end but only the end of the beginning... the real fight to save 5000 acres of wild scenery with a visual impact of up to 30km starts here!
30th September 2009
The Moray Council have postponed their decision. The next likely date is now the 13th October 2009 - Please keep your objections comming and REGISTER YOUR OBJECTION NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
18th September 2009
29th September is D-Day - Decision Day for Dorenell. This is when The Moray Council will decide to vote for or against the proposal. If they vote FOR the proposal they will, in effect be tearing up the Local Plan, which is their own Legal Document. No-one is above the law, not least the Moray Council and so they must vote AGAINST the proposal. This will trigger a public enquiry. If the final result is that the farm is approved, so be it. At least the electorate will have had a chance to properly examine the evidence. However we believe that if this application is subject to the scrutiny of a public enquiry, it will get refused.
PLEASE REGISTER YOUR OBJECTION NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
5th August 2009
It is still unknown if The Moray Council will object to the plans for Dorenell thereby triggering a public enquiry. The application lies outside the preferred area for windfarms and in an area designated by The Moray Council as an Area of Great Landscape Value. If the application is allowed to proceed unchallenged this would set a dangerous precendent for other areas. PLEASE OBJECT NOW.
30th July 2009
Alma the Eagle is dead - Read the full story here.
13th July 2009
A public meeting was held at Glenfiddich Distillery on Monday night. Given that the Moray Council has decided that it will not, at the moment, hear objections before making their decision, we decided that a meeting, inviting councillors to attend was the next best thing. Speakers included Grant Gordon of William Grant & Sons; Rob McHugh (SoS Moray - speaking about the results of the local tourism survey, the Infinergy visitor survey and how both surveys agreed that tourism to the area would be affected. Dr Terry Stevenson talking about the wider effects of wind farms on tourism. Roy Dennis who explain that the Glenfiddich hills are prime breeding grounds for Golden eagles and that a wind farm would deny eagles yet another feeding and breeding area. Ian Kelly who explained exactly why The Moray Council should be objecting to this plan because it is in direct contravention of the councils own planning guidelines.
We got some TV coverage.
The fight goes on,
24th April 2009
Press Release.
Stop Dorenell Wind Farm
Three world famous Speyside companies have thrown their weight behind the campaign to halt a 59-turbine wind farm.
Shortbread maker Walkers of Aberlour, and distillers Glenfarclas and William Grant & Sons say they are concerned over damage the Dorenell wind farm development between Glenfiddich and Glenlivet will do to the global image of Speyside.
The news has delighted campaigners from Stop Dorenell Wind Farm who claim the Dutch-backed development will damage tourism and deter walkers and wildlife enthusiasts from returning to the area.
Spokesperson for the three family-owned Speyside companies Grant Gordon, of William Grant & Sons, says the landscape and image of Moray has been specifically identified by a Highlands and Island Enterprise report as key to the success of local tourism, distilling and food production.
“We are deeply concerned this development will damage the natural image of Speyside that is so crucial to the success of home grown business and tourism.
“The overall image Speyside projects to the world through its prestigious brands is of a landscape unbridled by large-scale development.
“This image, as recognised by the 2007 Moray Tourism Audit, is a natural shop window for Speyside as a tourism destination.
“While we recognise the need for renewable energy, we equally recognise there are other, less sensitive sites for wind farms.”
Stop Dorenell wind farm spokesman Andy Cameron, a guest house owner from Dufftown said: “ The fact that three family-owned local companies with global reputations are prepared to speak out is hugely significant – a significance that cannot be lost on councillors and the Scottish Government.”
The development site between Glenfiddich and Glenlivet on the edge of Cairngorm National Park is in one of the last truly wild areas in east Moray and a magnet for wild life enthusiasts and walkers.
A year long local survey of visitors who chose Moray as their holiday destination shows 20% would not return if the wind farm went ahead. A massive 70% believed the wind farm would reduce the "Green" appeal of Moray as a tourist destination.
END
26th November 2008
House of Commons Debate 17 November 2008 c108W
The latest figure for total global carbon dioxide emissions in 2004 is approaching 30 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (27,251,186 thousand metric tonnes).
The United States is the greatest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions in 2004, being responsible for over 20 per cent. of the global total. The UK is ranked 7th overall for its contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions in 2004 with just over 2 per cent. of the global total.
As others have observed, electricity is about one third of the 2%, and proposed wind power savings are unlikely to exceed 10% of total electricity generation, when push comes to shove.
So by 2015 it is not likely (is probably impossible?) for wind to save more than 2 x 0.33 x 0.1 = 0.066 per cent of global CO2 emission (about 7 ten thousandths as a fraction) A crude calculation, but the order of magnitude is right.
The 0.066% is nothing more than a symbol, a political St Christopher, but one which will destroy great tracts of our countryside FOR NO REASON. And it will jeopardise the stability of our power supply. Make quite certain you are not old and feeble or in hospital during the next decade or two.
17th November 2008
Scottish Natural Heritage is running a consultation exercise into the cumulative effect of windfarms. Mind you they've kept quiet about it. Here's the link if you would like to tell SNH that they should be looking after the Scotlands' most important asset... it magnificent countryside.
28th October 2008
It's been a bit quiet on the news front regarding the Dorenell Wind farm, but activity has been taking place behind the scenes.
STOP DORENELL........ IT'S A DRAM DISGRACE
Important local businesses have added their concerns to the proposed wind farm and the campaign is gaining momentum. Please visit the new web site and OBJECT NOW!
23rd June 2008
How DO you kill a wind farm?? With difficulty it seems. Despite the fact that more people are cottoning on to the fact that no matter how many wind farms you build they can never replace conventional power stations, the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Application is being re-submitted as we have seen this afternoon at the 1st public exhibition. For those who don't know it, Clashindarroch is a large area of Forestry Commission land running from Huntly to the Cabrach.
Those crafty folk at AMEC have gone away after their application was previously refused and have now returned saying, "we have listened to the concerns expressed last time and have modified the proposal."... Hmmm... They've made it smaller - just 19 turbines, around 47Mw, so just under the maximum limit that can be approved by the Aberdeenshire Council, without needing government approval. Still early days yet, but the application will need to be fought all over. For the latest take a look at The Glassclash website
14th June 2008
We staged a small event in Dufftown Square between 11am and 4pm. Despite hideous weather with cold winds and driving rain squalls (you did know it is summer in Scotland?) almost 80 local folk stopped by to have a look and as a result, signed an objection letter. Thanks to all who helped and thank you to all those who objected. If you want to object your voice can still make a difference - click here to get a draft objection letter.
13th June 2008
Savills have sold their 50% stake in Infinergy (Infinergy is the company who is trying to get a wind farm approved on the Glenfiddich Estate). Why? Who knows.. perhaps they have realised that wind of change is blowing as more people are realising that wind farms are not the solution.
6th June 2008
AMEC have announced that they are re-submitting proposals for the Clashindarroch wind farm. Having got the project defeated once, it has got be fought all over again.
30th May 2008
Apologies for the delays in getting started with providing draft objection letters. Like everyone else, the small question of earning a living keeps interfering! However they are here now and we would urge anyone who believes that wind farms are a useless blight on the landscape to help by sending in an objection.
7th May 2008
It's starting.... The Environmental assessment for the Dorenell wind farm has been published.... Infinergy are holding a second series of public exhibitions (Cabrach on the 14th May and Dufftown on the 15th May) .. The planning application will follow shortly. If you support our opposition to this wind farm - please register with us.
4th May 2008
A planning application has been submitted for the Berry Burn wind farm - Your objections are needed if you think that this application should be rejected.
10th April 08
The Scottish Executive say, as a result of their survey into the economic impact of wind farms on tourism, that 97% of visitors to Scotland would return to Scotland. We argue that this is just another example of politicians "spinning" the results to present a favourable image. True; the survey results may have shown this, however how many people do you think were surveyed face to face? 1000? 3000? Perhaps 5000 would give a reasonable indication of what visitors feel. The answer is that just 380 visitors were surveyed face to face, with another 600 in the UK and 100 in the USA who have come, or are likely to come, to Scotland responding to an "Internet survey".
In 2005/6 over 2.5 million overseas visitors came to Scotland.... who knows the number that came up from England.
Can a poll of just 380 people give a true view. The answer is NO.
It is disgusting that the Executive believes it can promote the view that only 3% of visitors would find Scotland would not be disfigured by industrial scale wind farms.
In our own survey in the Tomintoul to Dufftown area, early results show that around 16% of visitors would definitely not return to the area if the Dorenell wind farm on the Glenfiddich estate was built.
By the end of the season we hope we will have over 1000 completed face to face surveys.... it makes a mockery of the supposed survey by the Executive.
24th March 08
The Guardian 24/3/08
We need more nuclear plants to avoid blackouts, say German power chiefs, "........blackouts could occur as early as this summer because of problems with wind power.........” See Here for more20th March 08
The Executive has published a survey carried out to determine the economic impact of wind farms on tourism in Scotland.
The conclusions of the survey are clearly trying to spin the case for wind farms.
However in a press release issued today, Scotland’s leading eco-tourism business Wilderness Scotland has raised serious questions regarding the accuracy and relevance of a recent Government-funded study into the impact of land-based wind power developments on Scottish tourism. Download the full press release here (MS word doc)
Here in Speyside, we are conducting a visitor survey throughout 2008. This is aimed at finding out what actual visitors to the area think about wind farms being built around the Northern edge of the Cairngorms. If you are an accomodation provider or chat to visitors during the course of your business, and would like to take part, please contact us.
19th March 08
Planning application submitted for a wind farm at Berry Burn, South of Forres. See here
This is just one of a series of applications for the Dava Moor area that may have a significant impact on the hydrology of the area and on the Tourist industry.
We are currently preparing a draft objection letter. If you would like a copy, please contact us.
18th March 08
Alma the Golden Eagle was being tracked one mile west of Glenfiddich Lodge and kept travelling to roost over night in Glenlivet - See Alma's travels here. Windfarms will affect our wildlife in the area!
27th Feb 08
Dear all at SOS Moray,
I did reply to the P&J saying that I was an ardent supporter of SOS Moray. To set the record straight - I would like you all to know that the Cabrach community association made a unanimous decision to hold no views either for nor agaisnt the wind farm. We were approached last month by Infinergy . They asked if we would form a pro lobby and this was unanimously rejected . We decided if they did want a pro lobby they could set it up themselves. I reject any notion that the Cabrach is in league with the Scottish government over this wind farm. The school had been under threat for nearly five years , a long time before this wind farm was ever conceived.
Yours
Helena Sierakowska
25th Feb 08
Letter from the Press & Journal
Sir, - Surely it is a remarkable piece of selfishness for the Sierakowska family to want the local primary school kept open for their two children at a cost of £100,000 a year when everyone else in the area is perfectly happy to attend Mortlach Primary at Dufftown, nearby (the Press and Journal, February 22). We have had an endless series of financial problems in Dufftown, involving such things as our community hall, repair of our central tower, the library, post office and public toilets, without such extravagance.
The only simple explanation is that the government is trying to ingratiate itself with the small Cabrach community during discussion about the establishment of an outsize windfarm nearby. Other people are not impressed.
W.R.P. Bourne,Ardgath,Station Road,Dufftown.
Jan 17th 08
Cairn Uish (Rothes) wind farm has applied for an extra 18 turbines. 15 of these will be over 400 feet high. This wind farm has already proved itself to be 75% INEFFICIENT, so why are we wasting more taxpayers money and ruining yet more moorland and our scenery by allowing even bigger monsters to be built? Please take just a couple of minutes to fire off an e-mail objecting to this planned increase.
Jan 17th 08
Press & Journal online today:
WINDFARMS MORATORIUM CALLA Euro MP has called for a moratorium on windfarms proposed for peatlands. Scottish Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson says deep peatland is a natural sink for carbon dioxide. And because peatlands have to be drained to build windfarms, "vast quantities" of CO2 is released into the atmosphere - reversing any impact on climate change.
Carbon dioxide is absorbed into forests and plants and then stored in the ground as they decay.
Mr Stevenson said peat bogs in the UK, the majority of which are in Scotland, stored the equivalent of Britain's output of CO2 for the next 21 years.
"In other words, if we destroy these peat bogs, we are effectively releasing all of the CO2 that our factories, coal-fired power stations, cars, lorries, buses, aircraft and every other carbon emitter would produce over that timescale." He added: "I hope that the evidence will be sufficient to convince the European Commission to call a halt to all future wind-turbine construction on peatland."
"In the meantime, I would urge the Scottish government to call a moratorium on all proposed windfarm developments on peatland until full scientific analysis has been carried out."
Jan 16th 08
Glenkirk Windfarm A Planning application for this wind farm is currently in planning with the Scottish Executive. If you are appalled by the idea of a wind farm in this area it is vital you register your objection now. Click HERE to find out to whom your objection should be made. Please don't delay.
January 8, 2008
It's down!!
The anemometer erected on Scaut Hill (Dorenell wind farm) by the wind farm developer, Infinergy, came down on the night of Friday 4th in the gales.
It's now just a pile of scrap.
Shame... of course if the turbines were there they would have had to have been shut down (if they did not fall down of course!) due to the high winds.
Wind Farms do not provide a reliable or controllable electricity supply.
See here
January 1, 2008 by Sam Reeves in The Herald
There must be a shake-up of the application system for wind farms to prevent time and money being wasted, it was claimed today.Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said that there were "no real guidelines" to show developers which sites were appropriate.
This has led to a "barrage" of applications being submitted for sites in Perthshire and the Stirling area that should not be considered, the mid-Scotland and Fife MSP claimed.
Much time and money were then wasted by both the developers and anti-wind farm campaigners confronting each other, when no application should have been made in the first place, he said.
Mr Fraser today called for a new planning system, which would make it clear where such applications were appropriate.
He said: "I believe that many wind farm applications are inappropriate and would cause more damage, both on the local environment and economy, than good.
"However, since there is a flawed planning system in place for wind farm applications then developers are still submitting applications to build them across the local area.
"This results in so much time, money and effort being put in by both the developers and groups opposed to the wind farm application.
"Everyone is losing out due to the flawed planning system."
He added: "2008 must be the year that the planning system is put right and I will press the Scottish Government to act and bring in new planning guidance."
23/12/07
You can now register your support for SOS Moray by using our simple on-line registration.
20/12/07
Happy Christmas and a turbine-free New Year!
The French organisation FED has invited supporters to send this card to
President Sarkozy, it bears the slogan: "La France n'est pas une
friche industrielle!" [France is not an industrial wasteland!].
In October this year (07), President Sarkozy announced the end of the French 'wind rush'. New wind turbines will be installed first in brownfields and far from 'emblematic rural localions'.
Come on Scotland... Tell our Executive not to destroy our iconic rural landscape and our tourist industry by permitting unfettered wind farm development.
Scotland is not, and does not want to be, an industrial waste land