Our ‘OBJECTNOW’ objection tool is now live! – Save Cowal’s Hills

It is not necessary to use the above link – the choice is yours – it would be far better to write your own objection in your own words – but you can use the above as a template of course (complete it and then save the document to work on).

Objections do not have to be long! As long as they contain the words ‘I object’ and then a clear statement of what you are objecting to – that is absolutely fine! Here is some guidance you may find useful:

How to object: guidance from Scotland Against Spin – Save Cowal’s Hills

and

John Muir Trust – guide to writing responses to planning applications – Save Cowal’s Hills

You will find a summary of some information you may wish to use in writing your objection at the bottom of this page.

Here is some information on finding your way around the Energy Consents Unit website: Navigating the Energy Consents Unit website – Save Cowal’s Hills

If you wish to use a very simple template you can print this and email or post (or you can download it and edit it):

Finally, some of you may like to read a longer document written some years ago by our friends at Hands Off Our Hills – it is very helpful:

If you wish any assistance please do contact us on savecowalshills@yahoo.com ……………..we are happy to help!

Reasons Why the Proposed Giant’s Burn Wind Farm on Cowal’s Hills is“The Wrong Renewable in the Wrong Location”

1. Damage to Scenic Landscapes / Loss of Visual Amenity

• Gigantic Turbines visible over a vast area
• By height and location will totally dominate views
• replaces natural scenic landscape with an intrusive industrial landscape
• irreversible damage which cannot in any way be “mitigated”

2. Inappropriate Location

• Hill-top placement right above Firth of Clyde
• too close to built-up areas
• too close to National Park (Dunoon as “The Marine Gateway to the National Park”)
• visible to communities all over Argyll & Bute, Inverclyde, and Ayrshire

3. Damage to Vital Tourism Industry

• Cowal is economically fragile and Tourism is the key local sector
• Tourists come because of scenic beauty of the natural landscape
• Tourism gravitates towards the unspoiled areas of Scotland
• Loss of tourism would have devastating impact locally

4. Discourage In-Migration and Depress Property Values

• In-comers vital to retention of population and prosperity
• In-comers come here to enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty
• If the area is dominated by monstrously large turbines, people will not move here
• Property values will fall, especially in areas which previously enjoyed good views
• Built-up areas close to the wind farm will suffer most from loss of property value

5. Adverse Impacts on Health and Well-Being

• Noise, both audible and infrasound, may well affect large numbers of people
• Light Flicker caused by the movement of the giant turbine blades
• Both of these effects can cause serious health problems, short- and long-term
• These constant effects can also seriously erode the quality of life for thousands
• The severity of these effects is magnified by the close proximity of built-up areas

6. Damage to the Natural Environment

• The enormous foundations, access roads, and ancillary works wreak havoc
• Loss of peat is inevitable, releasing CO² and damaging peat land ecology
• The turbines pose a grave threat to bird life and to the protected raptors in the area
• The construction works will seriously disturb water flows and may pollute as well

7. Inconsistency with Earlier Rulings and with Broader Policies

• Prior proposals in 2008/9 (much smaller turbines) were firmly rejected by Public Inquiry
• Proposal in 2014 was eventually dropped after strong opposition
• A wind farm would work against the over-riding local need to retain population and strengthen the economy