A large wind farm development in Bonhill could ruin the area’s natural beauty, a councillor has warned.
Last week Coriolis Energy, the developer behind plans for the 10-turbine project on Auchenreoch Muir, held a drop-in session at Loch Lomond Rugby Club in Beechwood after concern from residents.
Their plans would see turbines of up to 250m to tip in height and with a capacity of 70MW erected. If approved they would be the largest onshore turbines in Scotland and could power more than 50,000 homes.
However, Bonhill councillor Ian Dickson says the scale of the development isn’t right for the area – and called on people “not to fall for the greenwashing.”
The SNP member said: “I share the fears of my constituents in and around the Vale over the planned construction of these colossal structures, so I was glad the developers agreed with my request to hold a public event in Bonhill last Thursday.
“This location for a power plant was rejected by the council back when it was still up to them so it is discouraging that wind turbines are reappearing twice as big as the rejected plans and even closer to people’s homes now.
“These megastructures are twice as high as the tallest building that even the city of Glasgow can offer in comparison.
“I remain the council’s strongest advocate for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, however, this is not the right scale of development, and it certainly does not belong right in our neighbourhoods.”
Councillor Dickson also feels that the recent decision to remove historic electricity pylons on Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park land in Stirlingshire due to their visual impact sets a precedent that natural views must be protected.
He continued: “Right now in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, pylons are being demolished and miles of power cables are being buried, because people understand the importance of areas of natural beauty, where pylons and turbines just don’t belong.
“That project at Killin might all be for nothing if developers here get the go-ahead to build 10 giant wind turbines right on the fringe of the park, where we know their jarring appearance will be seen for tens of miles – ruining the otherwise magnificent vistas.
“Over 50,000 people signed a petition to save Loch Lomond from a 5-storey hotel and lodges being built at Lomond Shores in Balloch.
“I hope the petition to save Loch Lomond from a 75-storey tall power plant in the hills overlooking it will have the same backing, particularly from both the local and regional MSP’s and I hope people don’t fall for the greenwashing.”
