RESIDENTS clashed with windfarm developers this week over plans for turbines in the Dryfe Valley.
Fred Olsen Renewables are proposing the scheme on the Balgray Estate which will feature six 200 metre high windmills.
And they attended Lockerbie Community Council on Tuesday night to give a presentation on the project and answer questions.
They stressed the benefits of the development, which they say will include a £7 million community benefit pot; a biodiversity ‘net gain’ which will see the area left in a better state than pre-development; and the opportunity to help boost the population of rare Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, which can be found locally.
The use of local suppliers and companies during the construction phase was also highlighted.
But residents in attendance remained unconvinced and fired questions at the Fred Olsen team about noise impact, the effects on wildlife and community benefit funds.
David Barron, from Sibbaldbie, revealed he and his wife had carried out their own survey to ascertain local views on the scheme.
He said: “Over the last three months we have taken it upon ourselves to visit 45 properties within three kilometres of the windfarm that fall in Lockerbie district.
“We spoke to over 90 people. We asked if they were for or against the Balgray windfarm, that’s it. The feedback was extreme for both cases: people were extremely pleased to see a windfarm – but they were very few and far between. The vast majority were very much against a windfarm.
“It just shows the strength of feeling in that very small corridor.”
Sharing the full results, Mr Barron said they found 84 per cent against, seven per cent for and ten per cent were neutral.
Responding, the firm’s Kirsty Leiper said: “We notified every household in a ten kilometre radius of the windfarm, we surveyed all of them and the strength of feeling we received was relatively balanced.”
Lockerbie resident Angus decried the public consultation process, saying: “It’s a complete and utter farce. You give people a Cinderella scenario where everything is wonderful and shiny and new – a bit like the Emperor’s New Clothes.
“The really difficult questions tend to go unanswered.”
But defending their stance, Kirsty said: “Every element of our environmental impact assessment is based on the worst case scenario, not the best case.”
Meanwhile, community councillor Roger Claymore asked about the possibility of a site visit to a similar windfarm so interested residents can see it up close for themselves.
Kirsty agreed to look into organising such an event.
The proposal is currently being refined and there will be further public engagement events in November, ahead of the expected submission of the formal planning application to the council later this year.
