Easier stopping Blatter than Kilncadzow turbines

GETTING rid of Sepp Blatter as FIFA president was easier than it will be to prevent a huge new windfarm being built between Lanark and Carluke.
DECC announced this morning their intention to close the Renewables Obligation for onshore wind from April 2016. Picture: Ian RutherfordDECC announced this morning their intention to close the Renewables Obligation for onshore wind from April 2016. Picture: Ian Rutherford
DECC announced this morning their intention to close the Renewables Obligation for onshore wind from April 2016. Picture: Ian Rutherford

That was the view of those trying to prevent the multi-million pound Hill Rig development at Kilncadzow going ahead with eight wind turbines the height of the Forth Bridge.

The downbeat forecast for the campaign’s prospects came from Lanark Community Council chairman Frank Gunning, as the council considered renewing the formal objection it made to the Community Windpower proposal.

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That first bid for planning permission was knocked back by South Lanarkshire Council last year, but has been quickly followed up with an amended application from the windpwer developer.

An appeal for Lanark Community Council to repeat its earlier objection that the huge turbines would scar the countryside between Clydesdale’s two main towns came from member Eleanor McLean who claimed: “I notice that the developer has approached other community councils like Carluke’s and Carnwath’s for their views, but not us.

“Perhaps that’s because we objected to their windfarm plan last year. I think we should object to it again. I don’t think anything has changed and I don’t see how or why they are being allowed to re-apply for planning permission so quickly.”

Council chairman Frank Gunning was pessimistic about the chances.

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“It was easier to get rid of Sepp Blatter than it’ll be to stop this happening eventually. They’ll do what the quarrying companies are doing already elsewhere in Clydesdale and just re-applying and re-applying until the objectors run out of money to resist them.”

However they agreed to object to the plans.

For more on this, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette.

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