Residents up in arms at proposals to erect two giant wind turbines at Dundee docks have again come out publicly to oppose the plan.
The Courier has received a stream of correspondence from people incensed by Forth Energy’s plan to permanently site two wind turbines at Stannergate.
The letters and emails followed a packed meeting of the Residents Against Tay Turbines (RATTs) group at Craigiebank Church on Wednesday night at which local people were urged to register their objections.
More than 12,000 leaflets opposing the turbines which would generate up to 2.5MW each and collectively create enough power for 3800 homes have been distributed by the group, and a website has been set up.
Margaret Williams, from Bingham Terrace, contacted The Courier with her concerns about the development.
She said, “Having considered the facts of erecting two turbines on Dundee’s waterfront I have come to the conclusion that this is an ill-conceived location.
“We are privileged to live in an area with an outstanding vista, and let’s keep it as such.”
Dundonian Lisa Allan said she believed the turbines and biomass energy plant plan would be detrimental to the city as a whole.
She said, “These will do nothing to improve the city and will only convince people not to visit. Let’s keep Dundee beautiful.”
Russell McDermott shared the same opinion.
He said, “I am against the siting of the wind turbines at Stannergate on the grounds it would be detrimental to an area of outstanding beauty and they would provide no benefit to the people of Dundee.”
Margaret Milne was also keen to put her opinion across, and said stopping the turbines was crucial for the “sake of residents and the environment of Dundee.”
She said, “As a resident at Craigiebank, I am totally against the installation of wind turbines on the proposed site at Stannergate.”
RATTs spokesman Bob Adam said it was vital people didn’t sit back and expect the problem to go away.
He told The Courier, “It is important to put up a fight as this is the only chance we will have to stop these turbines being built on our foreshore.
“If you leave it to after the planning committee has sat then you won’t get that chance.
“We have got to voice our opinions now, voice our objections now, before it is too late.”
Forth Energy said they were being as open as possible about the proposed development and wanted people to make an informed decision.
A spokeswoman said Forth Energy believed Dundee had the chance to establish itself firmly at the fore of the Scottish renewables sector, and said the turbines were in line with local and national policies on green energy.
She said issues such as shadow flicker from the turbine blades only occur in specific circumstances.
“Forth Energy has put forward its proposals to erect two wind turbines on Forth Ports’ property in Dundee,” she said.
“As with all such developments, the proposal will be subjected to rigorous scrutiny by the planning authority, in this case Dundee City Council, who will ultimately make the decision.
“We have held a series of exhibitions and meetings to explain our proposals and we continue to welcome the views of local residents who, in turn, will be able to make their views known to the city council once the planning application has been submitted…
“Forth Energy believes that Dundee has a real opportunity to place itself at the forefront of renewable energy development in Scotland, and that this proposal fits in with local and national priorities on tackling climate change and generating more energy from renewable sources.
“Shadow flicker can occur when sunlight passes through the rotating turbine blades, casting a periodic shadow over nearby properties.
“This only occurs under certain conditions, and the effect is only apparent inside buildings with a narrow window opening.
“Computer modelling has shown that shadow flicker for the turbines at the port will have a low level of potential interference during specific conditions, and details of the assessment will be included in the report that accompanies the planning application to Dundee City Council.To have your say, add a comment below, email letters@thecourier.co.uk or vote in our online poll on the current Courier website.