Residents feel voiceless over latest Kintyre wind farm decision

“We are delighted to have received full planning consent for our Clachaig Glen Wind Farm,” said Victoria Allen, head of onshore renewables development Scotland for RWE. “This approval marks a significant milestone for the project, and will add further meaningful investment and clean energy to the local area. 

“We’re excited to be moving forward with Clachaig Glen and to working closely with local community groups and other local stakeholders to deliver a successful project that will help contribute to both local and national renewable energy targets.”

But Joanne Schofield, whose home is very close to Clachaig Glen, has been left “devastated” by the decision.

She said: “Every resident in Clachaig Glen, two community councils and Argyll and Bute Council all objected to the wind farm. Despite this, our views and legitimate concerns have been brushed aside. 

“Several homes are only two kilometres from the nearest turbines, with one house just one kilometre from turbines up to 200 metres high with rotating blade spans up to 155m. 

“We feel, and now know, that our lives and businesses do not matter.”

As well as concerns over visual effects and noise pollution for those living nearby, Mrs Schofield has serious concerns about the potential fire risk associated with the battery energy storage system included in the wind farm’s plans.

“Turbines up to 200 metres will now tower over the glen, our homes and neighbouring areas,” she said. “It sets a precedent for monstrously high turbines here on Kintyre as well as battery storage which have now both become the norm in wind farms currently in the planning process.

“RWE currently operates the Deucharan Hill Wind Farm on Kintyre, consisting of nine 76m-high turbines, which they are looking to repower and expand. They are currently proposing 23 turbines at even greater heights of 220m; that’s more than double the number of turbines, each nearly three times the height. Battery storage is once again being considered.

“RWE also says in its environmental assessment report that if it gained consent for the Clachaig Glen Wind Farm, which its has, it may then put plans for a green hydrogen facility at the site. Again, this would be a first for Kintyre.

“The battery storage at the Clachaig Glen Wind Farm, according to RWE’s environmental impact statement, will consist of 27 shipping sized containers full of batteries. No assessment has had to be undertaken by RWE (prior to consent being granted) regarding the health and safety or potential environmental impact of a fire at the battery storage that they acknowledge is a potential fire risk. 

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has not been consulted, neither has our local fire brigade.”

Mrs Schofield added: “RWE says about the decision to consent ‘paving the way for further renewable energy growth in Argyll’ – we already have seven operational (10 if you count the extensions) wind farms, six further wind farms already consented, one still awaiting the outcome of a decision by ministers following a public inquiry, and a further eight in the scoping process. The flood of wind farms to Kintyre is breathtaking.

“The impact on a tourism business in the glen is ignored. It’s devastating news. RWE may be celebrating. My neighbours are not.”

Catherine O’Hanlon, who runs nearby North Muasdale Farm Retreats offering a range of self-catering accommodation, is concerned about the impact of the development on her business. 

“This proposal was not supported by residents or Argyll and Bute Council, but I believe the government passed it anyway as it has a green policy/agenda and it wants to tick boxes,” she said. 

“I am not opposed to wind farms in the right location and I like that they support employment locally but it is not fair when they encroach too close to dwellings and agri-tourism businesses on which rural areas like this rely. 

“Kintyre already has more than its fair share of wind farms when it comes to meeting national renewable energy targets.”

The residents say they feel ignored by RWE and Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto, who they invited to the area.

Mrs Schofield said: “RWE has continuously shown a disregard towards the community’s views, only undertaking one online public consultation and question and answer session, where two is usually expected, and failing to notify us that the turbine heights had increased from the proposed 180m – the height of the Gherkin in London – to even more overbearing heights of 185m and 200m.

“And we invited our constituency MSP Jenni Minto to the glen as we wanted to show her our homes, our farms, our tourism business and discuss our concerns, but she declined.

“When is enough, enough? When will residents whose lives will be significantly affected be listened to and considered? 

“Personally, I don’t hold out much hope, especially with the changes being proposed to speed up the application process for wind farms. 

“The power these foreign multinational companies and ministers have to disregard the wellbeing of residents, protected wildlife and the potential negative long-term impact on the local economy is astonishing. 

“No amount of community benefit – absolute peanuts to RWE – will ever compensate for what will be lost and the impact on residents and the wider area for many, many years to come.”

A final investment decision for the Clachaig Glen Wind Farm is anticipated by late summer 2026, with construction expected in autumn 2026. The wind farm is projected to reach commercial operation by April 2028.

The residents’ comments have been put to RWE and Ms Minto.