Apparently, this was because many people now subscribe to the mail preference service, which eliminates ‘junk mail’ from being delivered this means that other items, such as the E.ON invitation, also don’t get delivered.
Because of this, I’ve given over space this issue to give those of you who didn’t get your invitation, or couldn’t attend, an overview of the proposal. I hope it helps.
Note that I’m using the word ‘proposal’ because that is just what this is at the moment. However, if you have any objections at this stage, please register them with the relevant authority (The Planning Officer at the Highland Council). Or, if you wish to receive more detail contact E.ON direct, or visit their website.
I chatted to a number of the representatives from E.ON and RPS (an independent consultancy who have been commissioned to carry out all of the environmental studies for the project).
E.ON have provided me with an update (below), together with the scoping document and I’ve scanned the map which was given out at the exhibition, showing a more detailed view of the proposed siting of the turbines.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 100027856. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 0100031673. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2009. All rights reserved.
I questioned them about the impact on the flora and fauna, and have been told that RPS have been consulting with the relevant experts in the field.
I asked about wind speed, as I’d read somewhere that the turbines shut-off at around 33mph, and that the wind speed around these parts was, on average, higher than that. This is what they have sent me:
The average wind speed at the site centre is 8.2 m/s or 18.3 mph. (This is based on extrapolating from the wind speed on the NOABL wind database at 45m height). A typical turbine will begin generating at 4 m/s and stop at 25 m/s.
With regard to bringing additional jobs into the community, I was told that, where possible, local labour would be utilised. However, specialised engineers work on these projects - I’m uncertain how many would actually live in the community.
On the upside, they confirmed, that those working on the project will require accommodation, and that local hotels/guest houses/B&B’s would be used for the duration.
E.ON have been forthcoming with information, and continue to stress that they welcome feedback from the community, and say, “We would like to remind everyone that the exhibition was not their only chance to give their opinions on the scheme, and that further opportunity will be available once a planning application has been submitted.”
Of course, this newsletter welcomes comments from anyone who wishes to express an opinion, either way. This newsletter is for the community and your views will be welcome (but please remember that it’s my decision to publish).
All I can do is report what I’ve discovered and give you an overview, a flavour of what is proposed, in the hope that I get some feedback from you. My opinions and views, I hope are not reflected in this piece, my job here is to be impartial.
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Wind Farm Proposal:
note from the Garve and District Community Council
After the recent E.ON Road Shows in Garve and Achnasheen it may be a good time to put forward the Community Councils stand on wind farms.
We have already had several ballots on wind farms, and that these still stand without the need for further balloting, especially as the results did not effect the outcome.
Anyone who wishes to raise an objection to the Corriemoillie wind farm should write to The Planning Officer, Highland Council, Glen Urquhart Road. Inverness.
note from the Garve and District Community Council
After the recent E.ON Road Shows in Garve and Achnasheen it may be a good time to put forward the Community Councils stand on wind farms.
We have already had several ballots on wind farms, and that these still stand without the need for further balloting, especially as the results did not effect the outcome.
Anyone who wishes to raise an objection to the Corriemoillie wind farm should write to The Planning Officer, Highland Council, Glen Urquhart Road. Inverness.
Helen Grainge, Chairperson
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Corriemoillie Wind Farm Public Exhibitions - July 2009 Update from E.ON
“The proposed wind farm would be made up of 19 turbines, each measuring a maximum of 125m high from ground to tip and with a total generating capacity of between 38MW and 45MW.
The site does not have statutory landscape or nature designated areas, either national or international and lies outside of any Special Protected Areas for birds.”
The site does not have statutory landscape or nature designated areas, either national or international and lies outside of any Special Protected Areas for birds.”
On July 1 and 2, E.ON held two public exhibitions at Garve and Achnasheen to inform people about its potential Corriemoillie wind farm development.
Over the course of two days, E.ON welcomed 80 people from across the area who wanted to find out more about the proposal . Visitors had the opportunity to talk directly with the Corriemoillie wind farm developer, Matilda Urie, and other staff from E.ON about its plans.
In addition there were representatives from RPS, an independent consultancy who have been commissioned to carry out all of the environmental studies for the project. Displays of photomontages, of how the wind farm could look from various viewpoints in the area, were also presented alongside a wide array of information on the project.
We’re currently evaluating the feedback from the exhibitions and will make this available on the E.ON website shortly.
The planning process for a wind farm can be long and rigorous but E.ON has been working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone benefits from a carefully planned wind farm.
RPS has completed most of the environmental impact assessment studies and the remaining studies are well under way. They will write up a large and detailed document called the Environmental Statement and this will provide information on issues such as landscape, ornithology, ecology, noise, traffic and cultural heritage. The planning application will be submitted to The Highland Council later this year.
“We understand that wind farms stir many different responses and emotions in the communities in which they are proposed, but we do pride ourselves on being a responsible developer. It's extremely important for us that we take every step to understand the site and keep the local community fully informed of our plans”.
Over the course of two days, E.ON welcomed 80 people from across the area who wanted to find out more about the proposal . Visitors had the opportunity to talk directly with the Corriemoillie wind farm developer, Matilda Urie, and other staff from E.ON about its plans.
In addition there were representatives from RPS, an independent consultancy who have been commissioned to carry out all of the environmental studies for the project. Displays of photomontages, of how the wind farm could look from various viewpoints in the area, were also presented alongside a wide array of information on the project.
We’re currently evaluating the feedback from the exhibitions and will make this available on the E.ON website shortly.
The planning process for a wind farm can be long and rigorous but E.ON has been working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone benefits from a carefully planned wind farm.
RPS has completed most of the environmental impact assessment studies and the remaining studies are well under way. They will write up a large and detailed document called the Environmental Statement and this will provide information on issues such as landscape, ornithology, ecology, noise, traffic and cultural heritage. The planning application will be submitted to The Highland Council later this year.
“We understand that wind farms stir many different responses and emotions in the communities in which they are proposed, but we do pride ourselves on being a responsible developer. It's extremely important for us that we take every step to understand the site and keep the local community fully informed of our plans”.
To get in touch with us, you can: email corriemoillie@eon-uk.com
or write to: Matilda Urie, Freepost RRSE-KZCU-AZJL, E.ON, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry CV4 8LG.
For updates on the wind farm, please visit:
www.eon-uk.com/generation/corriemoillie.aspx
or write to: Matilda Urie, Freepost RRSE-KZCU-AZJL, E.ON, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry CV4 8LG.
For updates on the wind farm, please visit:
www.eon-uk.com/generation/corriemoillie.aspx
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