Letters and emails opposing Forth Energy’s plans for two wind turbines at Stannergate in Dundee are continuing to pour in to The Courier.
Avril Weryk of Bingham Terrace accused politicians of treating their constituents with contempt.
She said, “They should be fighting the bully, which is Forth Ports, rather than refusing to comment. If it is for monetary gain then they have lost my vote and those of many others in any coming elections.
“The hideous size of the project between turbines and biomass is bad enough, but the health risks to those who are in proximity to it are massive.”
Catherine Robertson, of East Haddon Road, believes the venture is purely a money-making scheme for the companies behind it.
She queried how many jobs arising from the project would be for Dundee people.
Andrew Duff, of Baxter Park Glebe, described the turbines as “eyesores” that people did not want on the shore.
He said, “We have been using hydro-electric power for decades, and as long as it keeps raining there is no need for Dundee to have these monstrosities.”
A spokesman for Forth Energy said in response to the poll, “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.
“We encourage everyone to take part in this process, and hope they will make an informed decision on whether they support the development.
“We believe 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.”To have your say, add a comment below, email letters@thecourier.co.uk or vote in our online poll on the current Courier website.Campaign group Residents Against Tay Turbines (RATTs) has mobilised people in the area north of the proposed site, and they are increasingly showing their willingness to come out publicly against the scheme proposed by Scottish & Southern Energy and Forth Ports.
The issue was a hot topic at a Courier hustings in the Apex Hotel on Friday, when candidates were given a grilling about their views on the Stannergate turbines proposal.
The Courier also invited readers to take part in a poll, and you have not been slow in making your views known.
Norman McLean of Primrose Bank submitted photos of Forth Energy’s test mast, which has been erected on site to check the strength and consistency of the wind.
It shows a mast that reaches almost to the top of the oil rig berthed at Stannergate.
Mr McLean said, “Forth Energy’s attempts to fool the Dundee public in relation to the height of the proposed wind turbines are disgraceful.
“As the height of the turbines is 127m (417ft) it is not too difficult to imagine how imposing these structures will be you only need to double the height of the existing (test) mast.
“It doesn’t take too much initiative either to do an internet search for Rowan Gorilla V to compare the declared height of the oil rig against the height of the turbine. For Forth Energy to claim that the turbines will be ‘much smaller by comparison’ is ridiculous.”
Alexander Shand of Hawick Drive who has experience of wind turbines, living near the two at Michelin’s tyre factory said noise and shadow flicker, rather than visual impact, were the biggest problems.
He said, “The noise which comes from the blades under certain, not uncommon conditions is very disturbing and most people will be surprised to learn that the problem actually increases, in the area surrounding them, with distance.
“When I walk my dog I am aware that people living further than me from the turbines suffer more.
“Double glazing has the effect that it filters out the higher sound frequencies, which I liken to hearing a neighbour’s stereo player being heard,” he said.
“When the noise goes on for day after day, despite being below officially approved levels it becomes very like Chinese water torture.
“It has been reported that the noise can cause tinnitus and my wife has recently started to suffer from this condition, which greatly improves when we go away on holiday.
“I have found shadow flicker to be the most problematic effect of the turbines.
“The owner, Ecotricity, recognised this when submitting its plans for approval, and submitted a (inaccurate) map showing which properties would be affected.
“One of the conditions attached to permission was that when houses were likely to be affected a sensor would automatically shut down the blades until the conditions passed.
“This was not implemented during the first year of operation and, following complaints, the company engaged an engineer to submit an impartial report.
“The flicker induces migraine attacks with me, and I feel very unwell.
“To the credit of Ecotricity, a sensor is now in operation and I no longer suffer shadow flicker.
“On information passed to me it is clear that wind turbines are not the most efficient way of generating ‘green energy’ but the financial rewards are immense, which is probably why Ecotricity and Forth Ports refuse to divulge the economics of them, claiming commercial confidentiality.”