‘OBJECT, PROTEST, donate and volunteer’ – that was the message from last week’s meeting of local activist group Save Cowal’s Hills, as they stepped up efforts to protest against a planned windfarm in Dunoon.
Last Thursday night at Dunoon Burgh Hall the message was clear, the time for talking was over and action was now needed. Those who attended were informed of the various different methods in which their remonstrations could be employed.
Filing official objections to the plan which now lies with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit was one such method but formulating ideas on protesting the proposal was also encouraged as was volunteering for the group in assisting in distributing materials to local households.
Of course most of this comes at a financial cost and SCH explained to those gathered at the Burgh Hall that donations would not only be welcomed but also needed.
The windfarm proposal by Norwegian state owned company Statkraft has been officially revised after consultation and the plan is to construct seven gigantic wind turbines, (five at 200 metres high and two at 180 metres high), along with Battery Energy Storage Units and access tracks on the local hills above the town.
At the meeting the group also warned of the ‘double danger’ that if one such scheme gained approval, others could then follow. Its understood that plans are already being prepared for
a windfarm on Black Craig, just south west of Bishop’s Seat, for 13 turbines, each 200m( 656 ft) high.
Attendees were informed that official objections to the planned windfarm should be submitted before September 1, after which the group plan to forge ahead with protesting the proposal especially if consent is granted.
