CONCERNS over the impact of turbines on the health of the Fairlie community continue to grow. 
This is despite the Health Board telling the ‘News’ that they have found ‘no convincing evidence’ of any link to the Hunterston site.
At the recent community council meeting, local ecologist Ron Gilchrist said: “Is there no cognisance of fact than when the big (Mitsubishi) turbine is turning that people are feeling sick, and seriously unwell, and incapable of driving. I know one lady who could hardly walk. There are people who are so badly affected that they have to leave the village. Local officers are not taking cognisance of the level of discomfort in the village.”
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Public Health department was notified that a ‘small number’ of Fairlie residents had reported concerns about wind turbines potentially causing ill-health.
A spokeswoman said: “We undertook a full review of the scientific research, GP data and a very small number of complaints by residents, and have found no convincing evidence. This view was also reached separately by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) which also carried out a review of the evidence.
“Public Health shared the results of our initial review with the Fairlie Community Council in October 2016 informing them of the findings and asking them to share the conclusions, in order to reassure the local community that there is no good evidence that wind turbines harm health.
“We would recommend that any residents who have significant concerns about their health seek medical attention. There are many different causes of dizziness and if symptoms are severe or ongoing, people should seek further medical assessment from their GP.”
Concerns have been raised that North Ayrshire planners are going to recommend approval of a two year extension of the turbines without the background noise surveys.
Melvin Grosvenor of the Independent Noise Working Group warned that if SSE’s two year extension for the turbine site is granted next month without the proper background noise assessments taking place, the local community would be treated as ‘sacrificial lambs’.
He said: “In our view, NAC and SSE are acting irresponsibly by even suggesting that this could be dealt with on conditions after the event especially as the local communities are already suffering from adverse health effects from Mitsubishi turbine which hasn’t even been operating at full power. We are calling for the planning decision to be deferred until the noise assessments are carried out.”