News Archive April 2005 - December 2005
NEWS
23 December 2005
Notice of Supplementary Environmental Information.
AMEC Project Investments have made available supplementary information to the Environmental Statement.
For further details click here.(more...)
Important!!
15 December 2005
Public Local Inquiry dates set.
Minutes for the pre-inquiry meeting held in Huntly on 23 November have been sent to all attendees.
For further details click here.(more...)
24 November 2005
Sustainable Development Commission
Information has been received regarding publications from the SDC.
For further details click here.(more...)
18 November 2005
Moray Council to back down?
An item in today's 'Northern Scot' reveals that Moray Council are considering removing their objection to the Clashindarroch Windfarm.
For further details click here.(more...)
10 November 2005
PylonPressure launch
A campaign has been launched in Beauly to get the proposed Beauly-Denny powerline buried instead of on pylons.
For further details click here.(more...)
26 October 2005
Beauly to Denny Pylons proposal
Objections are invited to the above proposal for an upgrade to the main transmission line.
For further details click here.(more...)
18 October 2005
Survey of Glass residents
Glass residents have been polled for their opinion on the windfarm proposal.
For survey details click here.(more...)
17 October 2005
SAOS meeting report
Meetings were held last week to discuss a possible Community Fund.
For further details click here.(more...)
6 October 2005
Reminder
With the announcement of the impending Public inquiry, Anne Forbes would like to remind people of the Moray council objections.
For further details click here.(more...)
Important!!
4 October 2005
SAOS Public Consultation.
Download the Consultation Response Form as a .pdf file.
For further details click here.(more...)
27 September 2005
Public Inquiry notice
Letters have been received from the Scottish Executive advising that a public local enquiry will be held.
For further details click here.(more...)
23 August 2005
Public Inquiry confirmed
Anne Forbes has received a letter from Nora Radcliffe which confirms that a Public Inquiry will be taking place.
For further details click here.(more...)
12 August 2005
Latest report on the German experience.
"German Results Cast Doubt on UK's Wind Farm Proposals"
An article in 'The Independant on Sunday', 31 July 2005
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
22 July 2005
Confusion reigns... Latest update.
Latest information on the application progress appears to be reversing earlier information.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
15 July 2005
Clashindarroch Public Enquiry.
AMEC hav been advised that the application will go to a Public Enquiry.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
13 July 2005
Clashindarroch application progress.
In brief, still waiting for the Scottish Executive decision.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
13 July 2005
Fallago Rig Wind Farm objections.
A planning application has been submitted for a wind farm at Fallago Ridge in the Lammermuirs, East Lothian.
A web site has been set up to register objections to the proposal.
Further details on the website.www.a-ridge-too-far.com
7 June 2005
Broadband for Glass.
Latest news on broadband availability.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
6 June 2005
AMEC response to Bob Yuill email.
An email response has been received from Robert East at AMEC to Bob Yuill's email on cooperatives.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
27 May 2005
Glass Cooperative ??
Bob Yuill and Stuart Wright have been progressing the possibility of setting up a cooperative organisation to benefit the Glass community if the Clashindarroch proposal goes ahead.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
24 May 2005
Glass to get Broadband by July 7
An announcement was reported in the 'Press and Journal' saying that Glass will be one of the first exchanges to benefit under a new scheme.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
22 May 2005
Deveron Arts Launch Cabrach Billboard
The culmination of the latest Deveron Arts project, Breath Taking by Dalziel and Scullion, took place on Sunday 22 May with the launch of the billboard in the Cabrach. The board is sited near The Gouls in the Deveron valley.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
6 May 2005
'Windpower or Wildlife' presentation.
Steve Wright's presentation on Wednesday night at the Brander Library, Huntly.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
5 May 2005
Aberdeenshire Council response to Anne Forbes letter on the Proposed Supplementary Planning Guidance on Wind Energy Development
A response has been received from Piers Blaxter, Team Leader, Structure Plan Aberdeenshire Council to a letter from Anne Forbes regarding the posssible reconsideration of the Clashindarroch application in the light of the above new guidance.
Further details on the 'News' page.(more...)
5 May 2005
Letter from Malcolm Bruce
Anne Forbes has received a letter from Malcolm Bruce MP saying that he understands that the matter of the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Proposal is 'a long ongoing situation' and advises us to 'keep making your views known.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
18 October 2005
Pre-Inquiry meeting date.
A Pre-Inquiry meeting will be held on 23 November 2005 in Stewart's Hall, Huntly at 2:00pm.
The meeting will discuss representations to be made at the Public Inquiry.
6 October 2005
Preliminary Public Inquiry dates.
It seems likely that the pre-inquiry meeting will be 23 November 2005 and that the Inquiry is likely to be in late February or early March 2006
Important!!
4 October 2005
Proposed Community Fund
Meetings have been arranged to discuss a proposed Community Fund and how best to administer it.
Details of the meetings can be viewed.
13-17 June 2005
Macaulay Institute
Clashindarroch Landscape project
The Macaulay Institute has developed a landscape representation for the Clashindarroch wind farm project.
This project will be on display in Huntly during this week. Details of the event can be viewed.
22 May 2005
'Breath Taking' project launch.
Ex-Serviceman's Club, Huntly 4.00pm
Guest speakers : Paul Shepheard, Mel Gooding, David Miller, Ruaridh Nicoll
Cabrach billboard visit - 2.00pm booking essential.
23 December 2005
Notice of Supplementary Environmental Information.
AMEC Project Investments have made available supplementary information to the Environmental Statement.
A notice as required by the planning process has been posted in various newspapers including the 'Huntly Express'.
A copy of the notice is also posted here and can be downloaded.
The information includes a revision to the proposed turbine layout and a copy of this is also available but is too large to upload. Please contact Mike Davies if you wish to view this.
Back to top.Important notice!!
15 December 2005
Public Local Inquiry dates set.
The Pre-inquiry meeting was held in Stewarts Hall, Huntly on 23 November 2005.
This concerned the arrangements for the forthcoming Public Local Inquiry.
All participants and the scope of the Inquiry were identified. The dates for the Inquiry itself and for the 'relevant dates' in advance of the Inquiry were decided.
A copy of the minutes has been received. A summary of the important points is available on this website. If you would like to read a full transcript please contact the webmaster.
Back to top.24 November 2005
Sustainable Development Commission
A copy of 'Wind Power in the UK' has been received from Robert East of AMEC which is published by the Sustainable Development Commission.
It sets out the argument for wind development as a 'guide to the key issues surrounding onshore wind power development in the UK'.
If anyone is interested to read this, I could loan it, alternatively I could provide it on CD or it is available for download at the SDC website www.sd-commission.org.uk.
I also have pdf files of the following publications : 'Wind Power: Your Questions Answered' and ' Seeing the light: Microgeneration brings energy to life'.
The reports can be downloadedfrom their website.
Back to top.18 November 2005
Moray Council to back down?
An item in today's 'Northern Scot' reveals that Moray Council are considering removing their objection to the Clashindarroch Windfarm.
The Council have been in discussion with the developers, AMEC, who may offer to amend the scheme to remove Moray's objection.
A full transcript of the article can be viewed.
Back to top.10 November 2005
PylonPressure launch
A campaign was launched on 7 November 2005 against the use of mega-pylons to support the proposed Beauly-Denny powerline upgrade.
The campaign is trying to get the sections of the powerline into the Beauly sub-station buried instead.
More information can be found on the campaign website www.pylonpressure.com and objections are invited on-line.
In order to force a Public Inquiry to consider this matter it is necessary to object to the whole powerline upgrade proposal.
Back to top.26 October 2005
Beauly to Denny Powerline Upgrade proposal
A planning aplication has been submitted for the upgrading of the main electricity transmission line from Beauly to Denny from 132kV to 400kV.
This will require the construction of new pylons which may be up to twice the height of existing ones.
The upgrading is necessary to cater for all the power which will be generated by the plethora of wind farm schemes in planning, which can then be sent south. If there are no wind farms it will be unnecessary; if there is no upgrading there will be nowhere for the wind farm power to go.
Bob Graham has invited concerned folk to send in an objection to the scheme. Read more about it.
Back to top.17 October 2005
SAOS Meeting Report
Meetings were held by SAOS in the five surrounding parishes to discuss the administration of a possible Community Fund.
A report on the meeting in Glass on Friday 14 October is available here.
Responses to the consultation can be submitted using the Form which can be downloaded.
Back to top.6 October 2005
Reminder
With the announcement of the impending Public inquiry, Anne Forbes would like to remind people of the Moray council objections.
Moray Council objected for the reasons listed below:
1. That the proposal is contrary to Development Plan policies S/ENV1, S/IMP1, L/IMP2, L/IMP3, L/ED10, L/ED15 and L/ENV7 because it would result in an unacceptably intrusive, dominant and overbearing man made feature in an open upland and exposed area of great landscape value which would be detrimental to the appearance and character of the landscape, and result in a significant long term detrimental impact on the amenity of people living nearby. It is further exacerbated by the proposed elongated layout along the western boundary and in particular by the inclusion of turbines 1-15.2.
2. The impact of the development would be exacerbated by the characteristic of movement associated with the wind turbines.
3. In relation to noise it is recommended that clarification on the turbine source noise level should be sought from the developer by the Executive to ensure an accurate assessment has been undertaken on the turbines likely to be installed at this location. It is unclear in the ES whether the assessment is based on the 1.75 MW typical turbine as put forward in the ES (82.25 MW) or if it is based on the 2.75 MW (129.25 MW) machines which are likely to be installed should consent be granted. A higher rated machine is likely to have a higher source noise level.
4. The developer should address the SINS designation adjacent to the forests western boundary by means of additional survey to ensure that there are no adverse impacts upon the Glenlivet/Glenfiddich and Cabrach designated Site of Interest to Natural Science. Given the lack of information currently available the proposal is contrary to the terms of L/ENV2.
5. There are not sufficient material considerations to justify a departure from Development Plan.
Back to top.27 September 2005
Public Inquiry Notice
Letters have been received today from the Scottish Executive confirming that Scottish Ministers have decided that a public local inquiry will be held into the Application for a Windfarm at Clashindarroch
A 'relevant notice' has been sent to the planning authority, and the 'relevant date' is 22 September 2005. This date will be used to calculate the time scales for the inquiry.
All previous correspondence will be taken into consideration but anyone wishing to make further representations should send them to the Inquiry Reporters Unit as soon as possible.
Anyone wishing to give evidence at the inquiry must write to the office within 14 days of 23 September 2005 (ie no later than 7 October)
The address is Scottish Executive, Development Department, Inquiry Reporters Unit, 4 The Courtyard, Callendar Business Park, Falkirk, FK1 1XR
It appears likely that a pre-inquiry meeting will be held and arrangements will be advised in due course.
Back to top.12 August 2005
German Results Cast Doubt on UK's Wind Farm Proposals
The Government's target of generating a 10th of energy from renewable sources by 2010 is being undermined by German data that indicates wind power may be less efficient than had been hoped.
The statistics may cause friction between Whitehall and Alistair Buchanan, the energy regulator, who is concerned that by relying heavily on wind energy, UK may become too much of a hostage to capricious weather.
Germany has 16,000 mega-watts (MW) of wind power generating capacity installed, more than any other country in the world and more than 15 times the amount in the UK.
Statistics from two of the main energy groups in Germany, RWE and E.ON, indicate that the efficiency of the wind farms is much lower than that factored into UK plans.
RWE found that the load factor " the amount of energy produced per 1,000 MW installed " on its farms is around 16 per cent while at E.ON the figure is below 12 per cent.
On this basis the German national grid, the Deutsche Energie- Agentur, has said that it will only allow wind farms to count 6 per cent of their capacity when calculations are made about the amount of electricity generating capacity available for customers. Some of the energy is wasted because warm summer winds at night lead to power being produced when it is least needed. The German figures compare with the 30 per cent load factor targeted in the UK for wind farms.
RWE's UK subsidiary, npower, has said it is wrong to compare German and UK wind farms as like for like. This is because many German sites are onshore, have not been built in the best locations for subsidy and planning reasons, and the UK is far windier than Germany.
In England and Wales, npower's wind farms have achieved 27 per cent efficiency while in Scotland the levels so far have been in excess of 30 per cent, as Scotland is one of the windiest parts of Europe.
According to specialist investment bank Climate Change Capital, there will need to be pounds 6bn of investment in renewable energy to meet the UK's 10 per cent target.
'The Independant on Sunday', Publication date: 2005-07-31
Back to top.21 July 2005
Latest information on the progress of the wind farm application.
Anne Forbes has been in contact with the Scottish Executive after eventually tracking down the relevant individual - Howard Steel at the Renewable Energy Department. His advice appears to be in conflict with earlier information given below, but can, presumably, be taken as the definitive article..
"He repeated that no decisions had been made by the Minister, that various processes were underway, the paperwork was being prepared at the moment and his department had to yet advise the Minister before he could make a decision. Therefore, he has yet to make an official statement. AMEC is still working on outstanding issues. He said he fully expected there would be a public enquiry and that it would cover the whole proposal. Anyone who had lodged an objection will be informed of the decision by the Reporter."
Richard Hammock, Tap O' Noth Community Council, has spoken with AMEC on a number of matters. He has provided the following update :
Representatives of Tap O' Noth community council met Robert East of Amec in June to discuss the latest progress with the application and possible arrangements for managing any community fund. On the application, he said that Amec were expecting a public inquiry to be held at the end of this year or in early 2006, with the decision being announced some 3 months later. When asked how confident Amec were of winning he thought there was no better than a 50% chance and described the process as a 'lottery'! He also said that the project was dependent on the go ahead being given for the upgrading of the pylon and cables along the route from Beauly in Invernesshire to Denny in Stirlingshire. Without this upgrade it will not be possible to transport electricity generated in the north of Scotland to the grid in the south.( Incidentally when you hear about how many local homes any given wind farm will power you might like to remind other people of this fact - the power is surplus to local rewuirements and goes south).
On the subject of any possible community funding, he made it clear that Amec would decide on what level was to be provided and what they would define as the local community who would benefit. He said he was consulting widely with local communities and this would include speaking to Huntly and Donside Community Councils. The Tap O' Noth representatives pointed out that casting the net too wide would not necessarily lead to those closest to the development feeling that the funds were being fairly apportioned. Following up corrrespondence with Aberdeenshire Council, the representatives also asked if Amec had been in discussion with them about planning gain . Robert East said that Aberdeenshire had asked for a proportion of the community funds to be allocated to them for the provision of affordable housing. The amount so allocated would probaby be deducted from the total sum available. Using industry standard calculations the total amount would be around £100,000 per annum.
When challenged that this figure was much less than the three or four fold increase suggested as 'fair' by consultants to the Highland Council, he said it was for Amec to determine and they were not open to negotiation.
Back to top.13 July 2005
Clashindarroch Public Enquiry.
Advice this morning from Alison Daugherty of AMEC Wind Energy is that they have been advised by the Scottish Executive that the application will go to a Public Enquiry.
No date for the enquiry has been set. SE will no doubt advise this in due course. Alison has promised to keep us up-to-date when they are told.
Back to top.13 July 2005
Clashindarroch application progress.
Advice this morning from Aude Chaiban at Aberdeenshire Planning Department is that they still await the decision from the Scottish Executive.
There is no time scale for the decision, the SE work in their own mysterious ways. However, once a decision is made all objectors should be advised either that the application is approved or that a Public Enquiry will proceed.
Back to top.7 June 2005
Broadband for Glass.
The following information appears on the Broadband for Scotland website.
"ADSL (GLASS)
Your local telephone exchange is scheduled to be upgraded to supply ADSL Broadband services, delivered through a telephone line from your local exchange on 22/06/2005.
For further information on availability and a list of suppliers in your area who can provide you with ADSL Broadband services once your exchange has been upgraded visit www.bt.com/broadband and enter your telephone number.
Please note confirmation of supply would be subject to a phone line test by the supplier"
Back to top.6 June 2005
AMEC response to Bob Yuill email.
The following email response has been received from Robert East at AMEC to Bob Yuill's email on cooperatives.
"AMEC appreciates the contribution of the Cooperative Development Agency to the community funds issue, but for the avoidance of doubt wishes to make clear that the co-operative proposal is one of several possible mechanisms that it is actively considering. As such, AMEC has not yet settled upon its preferred means of management, administration and distribution of any voluntary payments made to local communities affected by the Clashindarroch wind farm proposal. AMEC continues to consult on the matter and hopes to make known its firm intentions in the coming weeks."
Back to top.27 May 2005
Glass Co-operative ??
Discussions have been proceeding with Amec Ltd. about the possibility of setting up a co-operative organisation to accept and distribute funds to benefit the Glass community. A copy of an email follows. An announcement of the launch(5kb) of the Co-operative Development Agency and a model document(195kb) can be downloaded for information.
Robert East
Head of Business Strategy
Wind Energy
AMEC
Robert,
It was good to meet with you at the energy conference in Aberdeen and I look forward to working with you on developing a suitable way to deal with the community benefit from the wind farm. I wished we had a more time so that our conversation was a less frenetic.My main point is to look for the best way to bring the communities together that explores the potential benefits to it and ensures that any development is sensitive to the various concerns - to allow a consensus towards community benefit.
I said that I would forward a copy of model rules concerning a Co-op for the Benefit of the Community. This model enclosed is one developed by Co-ops UK based in Manchester and is registered with the Financial Services Authority. Using a Model means that amendments to these rules can be processed and registered quickly and less expensively. You will also notice that it is 'Charitible' society, this means that the rules can be accepted by the Inland Revenue as an 'Exempt Charity' to this end the Revenue are very particular about the objects of the society in that they are clearly for charitable purposes. Therefore this form of constitution has three external checks for conformance - that of Co-ops UK, the FSA and the Inland Revenue. The legislation that governs Co-ops is the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, not the Companies Acts.
It is also important to note that Co-ops are also guided by a set of 7 principles set out and agreed by the International Co-operative Alliance these are - Voluntary Membership, Democratic Control, Membership Participation, Autonomy and Independence, Education, Co-operation and Concern for the Community.
A few red notes have been included for where changes to the Model Rules might be made; this is just as an illustration at this point. Stuart Wright who owns the Artloch Fishery - on the route into the wind farm - has done some work concerning the relative sizes of each ward that may provide a guide to proportional distribution should this be necessary.
We look forward to you next visit to the area, to discuss this way forward for the communities and the potential benefit to them from the development.
Yours sincerely
Bob Yuill, Roselea, Glass.
01466 700203
Stuart Wright, Artloch Fishery.
01466 799410, 07870 651368
www.artlochfishery.co.uk
Robert East's reply :
Thanks for this. I will have a good look at it.
You are aware that I am keen to crystalise AMEC's position on community benefits and, as we presently have no firm plans on how they should be managed, we welcome your input. As said yesterday AMEC's main concerns are that the identifed monies should be spent on appropriate projects and be efficiently managed with clear governance and accountability.
I am very concious that community benefit debate needs to be inclusive and that AMEC needs to take on board ideas from other sources too before a position is reached. I intend to have such discussions as soon as I can. When I have had opportunity to consider the range of management options, together with any points raised by local bodies I shall able to come forward to everybody with firmer plans. Should this incorporate your ideas then I would very naturally welcome any help SAOS can offer.
Back to top.24 May 2005
Glass to get broadband by July 7
An announcement was reported in the 'Press and Journal' saying that Glass will be one of the first exchanges to benefit under a new scheme.
The article is copied below.
VILLAGES TO GET FASTER LINKS FOR INTERNET
Date : 24.05.05
A Group of 14 north-east villages will be among the first to benefit from a scheme to give every community in Scotland high-speed internet links by the end of the year.
A number of telephone exchanges in the area are being upgraded by BT and will allow broadband by July 7.
The work is being done under a deal signed by BT and the Scottish Executive aimed at providing affordable broadband services to remote and rural areas.
Under the Rural and Remote Areas Initiative, all communities in Scotland should have broadband by the end of this year.
Enterprise Minister Jim Wallace has said the scheme will provide "vital technology" to prevent such communities falling behind.
The north-east exchanges due to be upgraded under the first wave of improvements are: Bridge of Dun, Cairnie, Carmyllie, Collieston, Colpy, Drummuir, Farnell, Glass, Kincardine O'Neil, Knock, Menmuir, Muir of Fowlis, Schivas and Whiterashes.
North-east list MSP David Davidson said the scheme was good news for the communities affected.
"The introduction of faster internet access and broadband technology is something which many in rural areas have been demanding for some time," he said.
"This will allow those who run small businesses or work from home to access these technologies and operate on a level playing field with those in larger towns and cities."
Back to top.22 May 2005
Deveron Arts Launch Cabrach Billboard
The culmination of the latest Deveron Arts project, Breath Taking by Dalziel and Scullion, took place on Sunday 22 May with the launch of the billboard in the Cabrach. The board is sited near The Gouls in the Deveron valley.
A busload of people from Huntly braved the inclement weather - rain , thunder and lightning - to view the final image. Unfortunately, the event was somewhat dampened by the weather conditions and the viewing was not helped by the farmer's parked Land Rover. A wee dram helped to raise the spirits of those hardy souls who trudged through the mud and puddles.
The purpose of the project is to focus people's thinking on the environmental impact of energy consumption. It is not intended to support either side in the arguments relating to wind energy generation but to try and make people aware of the cost to the environment of the growing demand for more energy. Hopefully, it may make them question the increased, and often wasteful, use of power such as electricity. More information is available on the Deveron Arts 'Breath Taking' page.
Further billboard displays are on show nationally in major cities - Aberdeen, Birmingham, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle.
6 May 2005
'Windpower or Wildlife' presentation.
Steve Wright's presentation on Wednesday night at the Brander Library, Huntly.
An interesting presentation highlighting some of the facts about windpower and other renewable energy sources in Scotland
The file, in MSPowerPoint, is too large for convenient downloading but if anyone would like to view it, a copy can be made available on loan. Alternatively, a copy can be provided for just the cost of copying - £2.50. Contact Mike Davies, 01466 700213
Back to top.5 May 2005
Aberdeenshire Council response to Anne Forbes letter on the Proposed Supplementary Planning Guidance on Wind Energy Development
A response has been received from Piers Blaxter, Team Leader, Structure Plan Aberdeenshire Council to a letter from Anne Forbes regarding the posssible reconsideration of the Clashindarroch application in the light of the above new guidance.
Their response was 'The development of policy guidance is not an opportunity for retrospectively reassessing decided issues.'
They went on to say, 'Impacts on built and natural heritage are unavoidable and the guidance is clear in trying to balance the scale of the impact with the sensitivity of the site.'
And further, 'It is anticipated that your comments and our response to them, will be presented to a meeting of the Planning Policy and Information Working Group of the Infrastructure Services Committee, Aberdeenshire Council on 18th May, 2005. At this meeting we will be seeking members views on the changes we propose.''All the comments and responses will be published on the Aberdeenshire Council Website.'
It is therefore apparent that these document will have no relevance to the Clashindarroch application.
Back to top.
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