The issue of wind turbines and a biomass energy plant proposed for Dundee’s port area generated plenty of heat at a hustings for both the city’s Westminster constituencies.
Around 200 people attended the event, organised by The Courier, in the Apex Hotel and quizzed the 13 candidates for the Dundee East and West seats.
Although the turbines and the biomass plant which have been proposed by Forth Energy would be situated in the East constituency they are seen to have implications for the whole city and candidates for both seats were asked to say whether they were for or against the plans.
The turbines would be up to 127 metres high and the biomass plant, which would burn a variety of materials including wood chips, would have a stack around 100 metres tall.
Opponents of the plans, especially those living in the vicinity of the sites, have already been vocal so it was no surprise that many of them turned up at the hustings to hear what the candidates had to say.
As the audience and candidates arrived they were greeted by a large poster showing how the turbines would look. It had been displayed by members of campaign group RATTs (Residents Against Tay Turbines).
The candidates for Dundee East are Michael Arthur (UK Independence Party), Shiona Baird (Scottish Green Party), Chris Bustin (Conservative), Angela Gorrie (Scottish Socialist Party), Stewart Hosie (SNP), Katrina Murray (Labour), and Clive Sneddon (Liberal Democrats).
Contesting Dundee West are John Barnett (Liberal Democrats), Jim Barrie (SNP), Andy McBride (Independent), Jim McFarlane (Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Jim McGovern (Labour), and Colin Stewart (Conservative).
Stewart Hosie said he was open-minded about the biomass plant, but could not support the wind turbines. He would welcome manufacturing of turbines in Dundee, which could bring 400 jobs, but saw no link between that and having two turbines operating at the port.
Challenged by a member of the audience who claimed he had told her he was in favour of the biomass plant, Mr Hosie denied having made such a comment.
Katrina Murray believed the turbines were a smokescreen for the biomass plant, which would be unfriendly to the environment and pose public health risks.
Shiona Baird said there was no way she would consider supporting a biomass plant that was bringing in imported fuel. However she said her party was in favour of wind energy and she would “sit on the fence” regarding the turbines.
Clive Sneddon said the plans were the wrong scheme in the wrong place. He did not see a need for a biomass plant and, as for the turbines, it would be better to develop wave and tidal power.
Chris Bustin said Dundonians would see no benefit from the proposals and he did not accept the claim that they would create 40 jobs.
Angela Gorrie was opposed to the turbines and the biomass plant. Although not against the principle, she believed the riverfront was the wrong place for the developments.
Michael Arthur said his party’s policy was to oppose on-shore wind developments and they were sceptical about global warming.
Jim McGovern pointed out that the turbines were to be located on a site which used to be a shipyard, and said there had been concern about the turbines at Michelin but now they were in place there was no problem.
Because he is a city councillor and the turbines are subject to the local planning process, Jim Barrie said he could not express an opinion without ruling himself out of taking part in the decision-making process when a planning application was being determined.
Andy McBride said he was against the proposals. He said the council wanted to bring the waterfront back to the people but virtually everything that had been done there blocked the view over the river.NIMBYism rejectedColin Stewart rejected the suggestion that opposing the plans was NIMBYism, as the riverfront was everyone’s backyard in Dundee.
Jim McFarlane was against both schemes and said they were not to benefit the environment or Dundonians but for profit.
To John Barnett a biomass plant with imported fuel was not green, and the turbines were badly placed.
Courier political editor Steve Bargeton, who chaired the hustings, asked if the audience would vote against a candidate who supported the proposals and the majority indicated they would do so.
Chris Bustin said Dundonians would see no benefit from the proposals and he did not accept the claim that they would create 40 jobs.
Angela Gorrie was opposed to the turbines and the biomass plant. Although not against the principle, she believed the riverfront was the wrong place for the developments.
Michael Arthur said his party’s policy was to oppose on-shore wind developments and they were sceptical about global warming.
Jim McGovern pointed out that the turbines were to be located on a site which used to be a shipyard, and said there had been concern about the turbines at Michelin but now they were in place there was no problem.
Because he is a city councillor and the turbines are subject to the local planning process, Jim Barrie said he could not express an opinion without ruling himself out of taking part in the decision-making process when a planning application was being determined.
Andy McBride said he was against the proposals. He said the council wanted to bring the waterfront back to the people but virtually everything that had been done there blocked the view over the river.NIMBYism rejectedColin Stewart rejected the suggestion that opposing the plans was NIMBYism, as the riverfront was everyone’s backyard in Dundee.
Jim McFarlane was against both schemes and said they were not to benefit the environment or Dundonians but for profit.
To John Barnett a biomass plant with imported fuel was not green, and the turbines were badly placed.
Courier political editor Steve Bargeton, who chaired the hustings, asked if the audience would vote against a candidate who supported the proposals and the majority indicated they would do so.
Chris Bustin said Dundonians would see no benefit from the proposals and he did not accept the claim that they would create 40 jobs.
Angela Gorrie was opposed to the turbines and the biomass plant. Although not against the principle, she believed the riverfront was the wrong place for the developments.
Michael Arthur said his party’s policy was to oppose on-shore wind developments and they were sceptical about global warming.
Jim McGovern pointed out that the turbines were to be located on a site which used to be a shipyard, and said there had been concern about the turbines at Michelin but now they were in place there was no problem.
Because he is a city councillor and the turbines are subject to the local planning process, Jim Barrie said he could not express an opinion without ruling himself out of taking part in the decision-making process when a planning application was being determined.
Andy McBride said he was against the proposals. He said the council wanted to bring the waterfront back to the people but virtually everything that had been done there blocked the view over the river.NIMBYism rejectedColin Stewart rejected the suggestion that opposing the plans was NIMBYism, as the riverfront was everyone’s backyard in Dundee.
Jim McFarlane was against both schemes and said they were not to benefit the environment or Dundonians but for profit.
To John Barnett a biomass plant with imported fuel was not green, and the turbines were badly placed.
Courier political editor Steve Bargeton, who chaired the hustings, asked if the audience would vote against a candidate who supported the proposals and the majority indicated they would do so.