Rhodders Wind farm

 

In July last year we received a letter informing us that Clackmannan Council had rejected Wind Prospect's application to build Rhodders Wind Farm on the basis that it was contrary to almost every part of the county's Structue Plan.  Here are just three of the reasons for rejection:

1. The proposed development (even in amended form) is contrary to the Stirling and      Clackmannanshire Structure Plan 2002 and 2004 and the Local Plan 2004.

2. It is contrary to the Structure Plan ENV2.2 in that it cannot be accommodated satisfactorily without adversely affecting the overall quality of the Ochil Hills Area of Great Landscape Value to a material degree.

3. The proposed development is contrary to Structure Plan Policy ENV3 which provides that in areas of Countryside development will be permitted only where the proposed activity is dependent upon  a countryside location and that in terms of function, siting and design, it is suitable for its particular location and should respect and preserve features contributing to local character. The proposed development introduces a further range of large man-made structures into the countryside to the significant detriment of the landscape adversely impacting upon the visual amenity of this countryside Area of Great Landscape Value and thus fails to respect and preserve the local character of this countryside area.

Today another letter arrived informing us - surprise, surprise - that this had been overturned by the Scottish Government. The assault on the Ochils, as eleswhere, continues. (The map shows nine turbines but the amended application was for six.)

The Frandy Moss application is still being considered but there are no prizes for guessing how that will go.

Thursday 16 January - Cloudy Ochils

The weather looked better to the east so we really should have gone to the Lomonds. But here we were pulling on boots at the little car park on the road to Frandy Farm. We are nothing if not creatures of habit.

Some years ago this narrow road suffered the ignominy of being widened at various points to facilitate the transportation of wind turbines to Burnfoot. The wider bits now provide parking spots further up the glen but we stick to tradition and park where we have always done. Creatures of habit indeed.

The plan for the day was vague. It didn't really deserve the term 'plan' at all, but Cairnmorris Hill, Skythorn and Frandy Hill were all mentioned for inclusion.

It looked as though we were set for a reasonable day

After crossing the Frandy Burn we entered Woodland Trust land and although from the map it looks like trees dominate the slopes, they don't. Broadleafs have been planted but are not greatly in evidence yet, as shown (or rather not shown) in the above photograph taken near Mailer's Knowe. Unfortunately the conifers lower down are beginning to make their presence felt.

By Scad Hill thoughts of a 'reasonable day' had been swept away and replaced by mist and light rain.  At Cairnmorris Hill I took a bearing to Skythorn even though, I told myself, I didn't need one because this was all familiar country. Famous last words and all that.

Not sure what Lynne is doing because I have the only camera carried that day

Things began to improve slightly but it was short-lived and having walked this route in poor conditions many times previously twice encountering 'misplaced' Duke of Edinburgh groups, we scurried back down, the visibility deteriorating with every step.

Brighter times - Cairnmorris Hill, February 2013

January 2009 - Lynne on Skythorn Hill

Maybe February will see the return of conditions like these.

Monday 20 January - Bleached bracken fronds

I'm now three days behind with blog write-ups so I'll make this brief. The main purpose of the walk down Glen Eagles today was to familiarise ourselves with the new camera - a Sony RX100. The light wasn't particularly good for photography but we were pretty happy with the results. Still a lot to learn though.