URGENT.

WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WE CANNOT USE THIS PETITION TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR OUR CAMPAIGN DUE TO GDPR LAWS AND LACK OF CONTACT INFORMATION OBTAINED. WE THEREFORE URGENTLY ASK EVERYONE WHO HAS SIGNED THIS TO SUBMIT AN ONJECTION TO THE ENERGY CONSENTS UNIT, AND ALSO TO COPY IN LOCAL COUNCILLORS AND MPS

How to submit an objection to the Proposed Newlands Hill Wind farm.

Either visit  www.energyconsents.scot and search for Newlands Hill or the case number ECU00004603.  You need to Register and then make your Representation on the government website. If it is a lengthy objection, we suggest you create a word document and copy and paste it into the relevant box.

Or…. send an email to representations@gov.scot with the reference number ECU00004603 and your objections.  You will have to add your full name and address to your objection.

East Lothian Council has just put the Planning Application on their Portal for 3 weeks up until February 9.  
PLEASE send an email to environment@eastlothian.gov.uk  The Planning number is 24/00001/SCG.  You will need to put your full name and address.

Submissions are Confidential

Some Pointers

1)  The proposed 17 turbines will be 200 metres high (2 are 180m) to the tip and are to be sited on the top of Newlands Hill to the south of Gifford. Both the size and location of these turbines means that they would have a severely detrimental effect on the visual appearance of the landscape.  The existing turbines in the Lammermuirs are smaller and can only be glimpsed from the A1 and further north.  The position of this proposed windfarm is possibly the worst place in East Lothian to construct a windfarm. The visual impact will be felt from all over the county. 

2)  The Lammermuirs are already home to many windfarms including Crystal Rig, Fallago Rig, Dun Law and Aikengall which are all within 10km of Newlands Hill (over 200 turbines). Crystal Rig has been extended 3 times and if this scheme goes ahead there is every likelihood that further development along the face of the Lammermuirs would follow.

3)  Additionally, there is planning for 307 offshore turbines at Berwick Bank in due course- which will supply 6 million homes with power (see Berwick Bank website – there are only 2.5 million dwellings in Scotland!). It beggars the question as to why 17 further turbines in such a damaging position, would be required.

4)  The Access Route which starts in East Linton for both HGV’s and  AIL's (abnormal loads) follows a route of approximately 12 miles through currently unspoilt East Lothian countryside, using single track roads along with busy B roads. The HGV route from East Linton uses the B6370 and B6355 -  roads used by cyclists, farmers, riders, walkers and local residents.  At peak construction time, HGV use is estimated at 100 return trips a day along with scores of site servicing vehicles which will reach Newlands Hill along roads all over the county, impacting on local traffic.

Critically, two sections of the AIL route would have to be newly constructed roads, along farm tracks, a drovers road and a field.  The area around Bara Loch leading up to the Danskine road is a particularly attractive part of the foothills which will be destroyed by this new road.

5)   Loss of dark sky in the area due to the aviation lights that will be sited on top of the towers.

6)   Likelihood of increased flood risk due to both our changing weather patterns and the construction of 17 turbines and service tracks on Newlands Hill. 

7)   Loss of natural habitat creating an unbalance in the fragile biodiversity of the area.  Would the environmental damage inflicted on this unspoilt area of East Lothian be worth the relatively small gain in the form of supposed green energy?

You could also copy your objection to some of the following councillors
jmmcmillan@eastlothian.gov.uk, gmcguire@eastlothian.gov.uk, dproudfoot@eastlothian.gov.uk,   Douglas Proudfoot is Exec Dir of Place
nhampshire@eastlothian.gov.uk,  
You could also email MSP’s 
craig.hoy.msp@parliament.scot and  paul.mclennan.msp@parliament.scot
Apologies for so much information! But it is very important we make our feelings known.

THANK YOU and if you could share on your own social media and email contact list we would be very grateful.