"Save Hunterston from monstrosities"
Published 16 May 2011 09:30
14 Comments
I would like to bring to the notice of the people of North Ayrshire that the Council has recently published the final draft of its Local Development Plan. This plan will have a huge impact on our areas and its Communities.
I recently put a motion to the Council regarding three separate areas at Hunterston, a very large part of which is already identified in the National Planning Framework 2 (Scottish Executive Planning) and the North Ayrshire Council as IND4, (designated for industrial development).
My motion was simply to add to the IND4 designation, by including references to the areas potential for the development of tourism. Unfortunately, despite support from several other Councillors, my motion was defeated by the chairs casting vote.
The Hunterston Peninsula contains a unique combination of breathtaking coastal views over the Firth of Clyde, the Cumbrae islands and Arran, unspoilt hill and woodland environments and historic buildings (Portencross Castle, Hunterston House and Castle), all connected by informal footpaths and cycle ways. It has considerable potential as a natural park and outdoor recreation destination, linked to other attractions in the area.
Despite this, what has the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council identified for our beautiful area? A coal fire power station, a container hub, a marine decommissioning yard etc.
In reality these are not likely to come to fruition, because the infrastructure is not there to support them, either by road or rail. The latest dismal prospect for the area is three massive wind turbines over 600 feet high to sit there and be monitored for the next five years.
I urge the people of North Ayrshire to write in to the North Ayrshire Council Planning Deparment and object to the exclusion of TOURISM in the plan for Hunterston. We have until 24 June in which to do so. We can also write to the Scottish Government's Planners and voice our opinion, we don't have to sit back and except all these monstrosities they are proposing for our area.
Councillor Elizabeth McLardy MBE
West Kilbride
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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john reid
Unregistered User
May 17, 08:59
Report commentWhilst agree the area is of scenic beauty in parts but this is ruined by the monstrosity that is Hunterston, the rail link to the east the eyesore at Clyedport and not forgetting the 600 feet Pylons currently blighting the landscape. Therefore, I for one will be supporting the plans for wind turbines and urge others to follow suit with a caveat that it supplies in part, homes in the surrounding area, Largs, West Kilbride etc FIRST...at a discounted rate.
Wind turbines are a viable option for renewable energy and the lesser of two evils ie coal and Nuclear despite what the Mcllardies or pro-nuclear brigade try to convince you otherwise. The old "not in my back door" attitude is selfish and not acceptable. We all must learn to live with these monstrosities at some point in our lives if not for our sake then for the sake of our offspring's. The price of gas and fossil fuels are set to rocket in the coming years so it is essential we start to build on the wealth of Scotland's vast renewable's NOW and tell the selfish Mclardies of this world to shut up or come up with an acceptable and affordable cost of electricity of which there's none as far as I am aware. I also wonder the last time Mrs Mclardy took a walk down this supposed area of outstanding and natural beauty?
One closing point I will say about wind-turbines, is the obscene subsidies and penalties that are levied and claimed by our government for failing to meet or EXCEED targets. This nonsense and great con should be abolished as a matter of urgency. Whitelees farm is testament to the viability of wind power and if it wasn't why are they clambering over each other to build new ones on the site. However, to pay SSE £350K to switch of for a short period is disgusting and totally unacceptable and until the Scottish government address this anomaly there will be little support for these wind turbines from the general public who are already getting overcharged for "green power" from these companies whom are laughing all the way to the bank come wind or rain if you'll pardon the pun.
Recommend?
Yes 7
No 7
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WK Resident
Unregistered User
May 17, 10:36
Report commentI regularly enjoy walks close to and on Hunterston estate and peninsula, with its treelined lanes and wonderful hill views. I have met many enthusiastic locals who enjoy the scenic views, and contrary to the above, not everywhere you look is a pylon.
Wind turbines can be graceful structures but they need to fit in to the area. 600 ft is ridiculous - okay they may match the height of the nuclear stations but all these man made structures are too tall and are a blight. Isn't there a mothballed powerstation with that bloody great chimney further up to the clyde that could be used instead? Why do we have to dig up the remaining greenery we have when there are brownfield sites around.
Are you the same John Reid - chairman - who voted against the use of Hunterston as a leisure area? It is at least good to see your thoughts/reasons at last.
It may have had faults but at least the rejected regeneration ideas were trying to have a positive influence on the town which is striving to be a tourist area. I'd rather look at birds, and wild flowers than 600 ft turbines or another power station. WK has given lots to other areas, its taxes support many deprived parts of North Ayrshire, and it has to work hard (with dedicated volunteers) to get any funds for its groups and services. Things are always under threat and being cut back - the library, the community centre etc.
... Surely jobs would have come from a nature reserve and managing tourism. So much for WK being a place of creative enterprise. I came to the village because of that. It is a marvellous village and the people are fantastic, friendly and supportive.WK needs a break. It does not need to have to pay £900 every time a road is closed when locals want to enjoy their village (ie Yule Night). And it does not need things that lesson its tourism impact.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 2
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john reid
Unregistered User
May 17, 12:18
Report commentFor the avoidance of doubt, I am not the John Reid Chairperson. I am merely the proud father of two little girls and resident in Largs who accepts that Nuclear and coal is non sustainable and detrimental to both our physical and environmental health. Wind power is one of many alternative and sustainable options despite the enormous size of these machines and the moans of the "not in my back yard" brigade.
As for their size of 600 ft, as far as I am aware is a misrepresentation, but IF indeed they were that size they would be on the coastline for all the foreign merchant ships to frown upon as they cruise up the estuary. In addition they will also be as inconspicuous as Hunterston, the 600ft PLUS Pylons and that monstrosity that takes the coal from the pier to the rail depot.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 6
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WK Resident
Unregistered User
May 17, 23:23
Report commentHmm ... you've got plenty of windy hills in Largs ... 600 ft wind turbines will look smaller from WK if they are 5 miles away ... in your backyard it is then :)
Recommend? Yes 4
No 2
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WK Resident
Unregistered User
May 18, 14:41
Report commentIs this old news or new news?
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Green-energy-plans-could-capture.6770084.jp
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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Fairlie Pete
Unregistered User
May 19, 08:15
Report commentI also agree with wind turbines. Stick them in Inverkip. They'll never get used and everyone will forget about them and the huge amount of money they cost.
As for Hunterston, we could always use it as a fantastic sports centre. use the big pit for scuba and watersports training. The national centre would be overwhelmed. It would boost the local economies and bring in much needed youth. I'm sure a few local developers would love the eyesore. Maybe NAC could sell it for a tenner, under their 'Moorburn' clause
Recommend? Yes 10
No 2
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gill
Unregistered User
May 22, 16:35
Report commentas much as I love the hunterston peninsula, it is not an area of pristine natural beauty - its charm in part lies in the marks on the land left by the variety of uses it has been put to since Roman times and the drama of large industrial structures against a rugged coastline - I am aware not everyone agrees with this! I do approve of wind power and think that if we have to put these structures somewhere then hunterston is probably as good a spot as any, it is certainly not unspoilt and these wind turbines despite there size could exist in the landscape without affecting too much of a area around them. The coal power station to the other hand would be a total disaster - there is no good reason to site it here - there is no good reason to use coal in this way - it will pump all manner of toxic chemicals into our local enviroment and the "clean" element which may or may not be added at a later date is yet to be proven to be safe, cost efficient or even possible. This is the monstrosity we have to protect hunterston from.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 4
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gill
Unregistered User
May 22, 16:36
Report commentas much as I love the hunterston peninsula, it is not an area of pristine natural beauty - its charm in part lies in the marks on the land left by the variety of uses it has been put to since Roman times and the drama of large industrial structures against a rugged coastline - I am aware not everyone agrees with this! I do approve of wind power and think that if we have to put these structures somewhere then hunterston is probably as good a spot as any, it is certainly not unspoilt and these wind turbines despite there size could exist in the landscape without affecting too much of a area around them. The coal power station to the other hand would be a total disaster - there is no good reason to site it here - there is no good reason to use coal in this way - it will pump all manner of toxic chemicals into our local environment and the "clean" element which may or may not be added at a later date is yet to be proven to be safe, cost efficient or even possible. This is the monstrosity we have to protect hunterston from.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 2
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gill
Unregistered User
May 22, 16:37
Report commentas much as I love the hunterston peninsula, it is not an area of pristine natural beauty - its charm in part lies in the marks on the land left by the variety of uses it has been put to since Roman times and the drama of large industrial structures against a rugged coastline - I am aware not everyone agrees with this! I do approve of wind power and think that if we have to put these structures somewhere then hunterston is probably as good a spot as any, it is certainly not unspoilt and these wind turbines despite there size could exist in the landscape without affecting too much of a area around them. The coal power station to the other hand would be a total disaster - there is no good reason to site it here - there is no good reason to use coal in this way - it will pump all manner of toxic chemicals into our local environment and the "clean" element which may or may not be added at a later date is yet to be proven to be safe, cost efficient or even possible. This is the monstrosity we have to protect hunterston from.
Recommend? Yes 2
No 2
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gill
Unregistered User
May 22, 16:37
Report commentas much as I love the hunterston peninsula, it is not an area of pristine natural beauty - its charm in part lies in the marks on the land left by the variety of uses it has been put to since Roman times and the drama of large industrial structures against a rugged coastline - I am aware not everyone agrees with this! I do approve of wind power and think that if we have to put these structures somewhere then hunterston is probably as good a spot as any, it is certainly not unspoilt and these wind turbines despite there size could exist in the landscape without affecting too much of a area around them. The coal power station to the other hand would be a total disaster - there is no good reason to site it here - there is no good reason to use coal in this way - it will pump all manner of toxic chemicals into our local environment and the \"clean\" element which may or may not be added at a later date is yet to be proven to be safe, cost efficient or even possible. This is the monstrosity we have to protect hunterston from.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
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Jon McArthur
Unregistered User
Jun 19, 19:54
Report commentHunterston is a beautiful area, the current industry you get used to but leave it the way it is, there is so much history to the area and building a new coal power station and wind turbines will destroy the SSSI and historical parts of the coast line. I regulary take walks along the Hunterston area and its wildlife and beauty is something I enjoy after seeing a website about the area and its history http://www.virtualhunterston.eu.org
Companies need to stop thinking about profits and destroying areas and think of the wider envirornmental and wildlife.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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