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Click
HERE to Download a
Printable Objection Form to Complete & Post
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Public Local Inquiry The
Public Local Inquiry, before the Reporter, Mr Trevor Croft, Click here to view the itinerary for the inquiry.. There
is to be a more informal Hearing session on the evening of Wednesday, Please come along to the Inquiry in order to show Mr Croft the level of opposition there is to this wind farm. It is our last chance to make our views known.
If you are able to make a donation towards our legal costs we would
be very grateful. You can use the donate buttons or you can send a cheque
made payable to Thank you. |
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![]() Demonstration by objectors at the foot of Spittal Hill, Sunday 13 June 2010 |
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Spittal Hill wind farm proposal to go to Public Local Inquiry On
22 June 2010 our Councillors voted unanimously to recommend to the Our
group hopes to play an active part in the Inquiry in order to ensure
the To
do this effectively we need to raise a considerable amount of money.
Thank you |
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We have another opportunity to send our objections to the Scottish Government and Highland Council. Even if you have already objected (which will still be taken into account), and thank you very much for doing so, we would urge you to object again. Please also encourage everyone you know to do the same. This may be our last chance. Please
take a few minutes to complete our online objection form or print off
a copy for posting. |
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View
of Spittal Hill Windfarm from picnic area at east end of Loch Watten |
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Spittal Windfarm Opposition Group (SWOG) was formed in August 2004 by residents living around Spittal Hill in central Caithness when the developers first produced their scoping plans for a major wind farm on Spittal Hill. The development is
for 30 turbines up to 110 metres high, the site having an area of 980
hectares (2421 acres or 3.75 square miles). Because of its immense size,
the Scottish Government rather than Highland Council will decide this
application. What's so special about Spittal Hill? Why isn't it a good place for a major wind farm? First and foremost, the hill is a central, prominent local landmark between Wick and Thurso surrounded by an open landscape. The hill has an elevation of 176 metres; this would mean the closest turbine would tower over the summit by 59 metres (193 feet). This will diminish and destroy the natural form of the hill and will detrimentally alter the landscape. The turbines will
be visible from many locations both near and far. All major tourist routes
into the county; road, rail, cruise ship and ferry will have a clear view.
They will be visible from as far away as Kirkwall in Orkney and Strathy
Point. Indeed, even the Environmental Statement admits the wind farm will
be visible from all points of the compass with only a few pockets of land
not having sight of it. Significant visual effects will apply to over
50% of surrounding areas. |
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The cumulative and sequential impact when viewed together with the operational wind farms at Buolfruich and Causewaymire will give an impression of turbines along the length of the main A9 tourist route into and out of Caithness. In addition, there are wind farms built at Forss, Flex Hill and Achairn, and a wind farm approved at Camster. If this development is approved the tipping point will have been reached and the landscape will change to that of a 'wind farm landscape'. To alter an area's landscape so dramatically cannot be justified. |
![]() Montage comparing the Test & Trials Facility at Janetstown (27m high), Dunnet Church (12m high), a proposed Spittal Hill turbine (110m high), and an existing Forss turbine (78m high). Photomontage by Stuart Young Visualisations |
The wind farm will be situated much too close to residential property. The closest turbine to a residence (where the owners have no financial interest in the wind farm) will be approximately 864 metres away. The closest turbine to houses at Spittal village will be approximately 1200 metres away. The consequent loss of amenity, and problems with noise, strobing and shadow flicker are well documented. Accidents at wind farm sites such as blade detachment, fire and ice throw have also been recorded. |
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The
wind farm site is within 2.5 km of Loch Scarmclate and 2.0 km of Loch
Watten, both of which are component parts of the Caithness Lochs Special
Protection Area and Ramsar site. Watercourses from the site run down
to Lochs Scarmclate, Watten and Toftingall. The site contains within
its boundaries Spittal and Banniskirk quarries, both designated as Sites
of Special Scientific Interest for their fossil fish. There are also
existing historic landscape features to be taken into account. The history
of Spittal village can be traced back to the Iron Age and there are
many Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings situated within
10 km of the site. |
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"Our
landscape of mountain, moor, loch and glen is famous throughout the world.
It makes no sense to develop irresponsibly and thereby threaten the basis
of our tourist industry. SNH must work with others to achieve carefully
thought out policies." Quote from Scottish
Natural Heritage on its North Highland webpage.
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not alone in our concerns. Highland Council has already stated that Spittal
Hill is not a suitable place for a major wind farm in their
2006 Renewable Energy Strategy. Prior to production of this Strategy, the
Caithness Local Plan always designated Spittal Hill as an area presumed
against development (PP3). |
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Npower claims its Causewaymire wind farm supplies sufficient electricity for 28,500 households. The Spittal Hill developers claim their wind farm would supply 45,000 households. According to Npower, the 2001 census showed Caithness as having 10,870 households. Even allowing for growth, and assuming these claims are valid, these two wind farms alone would supply over 62,000 more homes than exist in Caithness. The surplus will have to be exported many miles to consumers in the south. |
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