Stow wind farm generates debate

Ally McGilvray • Published 8 Jun 2010 10:11 1 Comment

AN anti wind farm campaigner has claimed payments from a community fund which could generate more than £2.8 million for the local economy should be stopped until he is compensated for the loss of view from his home near Galashiels.

Last month, we revealed residents in Stow, Heriot, and Oxton are set to share £115,000 a year over the next 25 years following the development of Toddleburn, Carcant and Longpark wind farms.

The Scottish Community Foundation has been appointed by Scottish and Southern Energy and EDF Energy Renewables to manage all three community benefit funds in what is believed to be one of the first schemes of its kind in Scotland.

However, Robert Sibbald, of Hillview, Whitelee, whose home overlooks the 19-turbine Longpark wind farm run by EDF Energy Renewables, has claimed it has wiped £25,000 off the value of his house. And he believes that, if local communities are to benefit from the cash wind-fall, it is only fair that he is compensated too.

Mr Sibbald said: "I don't think it's right that they should get £45,000 a year for a trust fund for a wind farm which is in their area when I am being ignored.

"There is not one person in Stow who can see the wind farm from their window but I have to look at it 24/7.

"I've lost £25,000 off the value of my house since the wind farm went up and I've asked the company to come out to discuss it but they are totally ignoring me."

The windfarm was initially refused planning permission by Scottish Borders Council but the developers appealed to the Scottish Government and was connected to the national grid last week.

A spokeswoman for the wind farm said: "EDF Energy Renewables' Longpark wind farm received all necessary planning permissions following an extensive formal consultation process, which considered the impacts on the environment and the local amenity and invited the views of local residents.

"Our ongoing relationship with the communities close to our windfarms is very important to us and we will be making contact with Mr Sibbald to discuss his concerns."

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• 

  Gordon
  Unregistered User
  Jun 9, 14:03
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  If Mr Sibbald lived in Denmark he would be entitled by right to compensation for the loss in value of his property after appraisal by an independent valuer.
  
  It is scandalous that in this country you can end up with an unsaleable, i.e. worthless, property due to the actions of speculative wind developers with no compensation and no recourse in law. This is the case with the Davis family at Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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