GLARE - Galloway Landscape And Renewable Energy - was launched in November 2004 by a group of concerned Galloway residents in reaction to the proliferation of proposals & planning applications to build enormous wind farms (power stations) in Dumfries and Galloway and all over Scotland. [ read more ]
For the past five years, GLARE has been campaigning to STOP The Blackcraig Wind Farm near Balmaclellan on the edge of the Glenkens [ read more ]
GLARE is deeply concerned about the cumulative & adverse impacts that 1 consented (Wether Hill) and 3 proposed (Blackcraig, Margree & Darngarroch) wind power stations totalling 211 megawatts within 10 miles of each other, would have on the environment and landscape of the Glenkens. [ read more ]
GLARE argues for a more balanced approach to renewable electricity generation and is therefore opposed to Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 6, a misguided policy draft that would in its present form, give the green light to hundreds more wind power station proposals through its preferential promotion of onshore wind. [ read more ]
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GLARE is working with the Carlyle Craigenputtock Circle, a group set up to draw attention nationally to the only privately owned home of Thomas (and Jane) Carlyle, a Scottish philosopher and writer from the 19th Century. This home is now under threat from 3 wind power stations which would directly overlook and damage the original character of an 18th century farmhouse situated in a rural wilderness area of outstanding beauty. Thomas Carlyle wrote his first major piece of work at Craigenputtock and when he left for London in the 1830s, he always longed to return to the solitude of his former home. Click Here to visit the Craigenputtock website.
GLARE is working with the Glenkens Historic Houses Association, an association of owners of historic houses within the Glenkens and its immediate vicinity, places of immeasurable importance within the context of our natural and cultural heritage that are affected by the proposed development. The Association came into existence as a result of concerns felt about the cumulative impact a number of wind power station applications would have to the area’s history and historic properties, many of which have close historical ties. | |
BLACKCRAIG WIND FARM
[ read more ]
Latest News
A letter has been sent by the Ministry of Defence [ download here ]in which they state "in the interest of air safety, we recommend that the perimeter / corner turbines and a selection of inner turbines are lit with 25 candela omni-directional red lighting at the highest practical point. Sufficient turbines should be lit to indiciate the size of the wind farm". Please send your comments to GLARE and the PLI reporter as detailed below.
Grid Connection
During the PLI, Scottish and Southern Electricty indicated that the existing S37 application which was unanimously rejected by councillors, no longer had the capacity to take electricty from Blackcraig. Scottish Power Transmissions have no produced a pre-consultation document which needs your response by 22 May 2009. You can download a template objection letter here and wiew full details at www.spenergynetworks.com
The Public Local Inquiry
was held in February and March 2008 in the town hall of the St John's Town of Dalry.
The PLI was subsequently adjourned in order to facilitate discussions about aviation with NATS / NERL in relation to their objection to the proposed wind farm.
A second pre-inquiry meeting was held at the town hall of the St John's Town of Dalry on 22 April 2009 at which it was agreed to add the issue of lights to the agenda of the PLI
Resumed PLI
now fixed for 27-29 October 2009 from 9.30am to 4.30pm each day at the town hall of the St John's Town of Dalry. Any comments or submissions should be sent to:
Mr M Mahony
Reporter - DPEA
4 The Courtyard
Calendar Business Park
Falkirk FK1 1XR
MARGREE WIND FARM
North British Windpower have submitted a planning application to construct a wind power station at Margree on the edge of the Glenkens, just 2 miles north and within site of Blackcraig Hill. The proposal is for up to 25 turbines of approximately 125 metres (410 feet) from base to blade tip.
DARNGARROCH WIND FARM
Currently in 'Scoping' stage, this proposal is for a Section 26 wind power station (greater than 50 megawatts) on Darngarroch Hill, a 373 metre hill visible from Corsock and Dunscore. The exact proposal is yet unknown, however it would take a minimum of seventeen 125 metre (410 feet) turbines to produce the required electricty. | |
Click on map to view
proposed sites in the Glenkens
Click on picture above
to download GLARE's
Blackcraig Campaign Action Pack
Click on map to find out more
about proposals in Scotland
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