Moorsyde Wind Farm Action Group (MAG)

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With links to groups we have tried to sort links alphabetically by the geographical name of the proposal, but occasionally sort by group name or acronym, especially when it covers several proposals.

Northumberland & Borders Public Inquiries.

Drone Hill [Coldingham]: (Appealed March 2008, DPEA appeal reference P/PPA/140/357). PI at Coldingham Public Hall Tues. 12 Aug. - Friday 15 (10.00 am - 5.00 pm first day, then 9.30am - 5.00 pm); resumes Tues. 19 - Fri. 22 Aug.

Dunion Hill: (Appealed 10 March 2008, DPEA Appeal Ref. P/PPA/140/367). Status: Allocated to Reporter. Check the Dunion Hill Conservation Group website for news.

Fallago Rig: PI concluded, decision awaited.

The Middlemoor Public Inquiry: Awaiting decision (due “March 2008”) - suspicion that this has been ‘parked’ while government departments try and fix MOD objections on radar interference. Has to be asked why a Public Inquiry is being held on neighbouring Wandylaw application before this is resolved.

Northumberland (Green Rigg / Ray / Steadings) Windfarms Public Inquiry. - Still in progress, see: Inquiry News page.

Wandylaw Public Inquiry: “Will commence on Tuesday, 16th September 2008 and is anticipated to last eight days. The venue for the inquiry is the Berwick Rugby Club at Scremerston, which is two and a half miles to the south of the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.”. See Berwick Borough Council website for further details.

Wind News.

Industrial Wind Action (IWA). - "Industrial Wind Action™, was formed to counteract the misleading information promulgated by the wind energy industry and various environmental groups. Support for this effort comes from a large and diversified group of environmentalists, energy experts, and ordinary citizens."
US organisation with excellent international coverage of news stories that is updated daily. Gallery. Library of research papers and important articles.

National Wind Watch - UK news feed. - "A nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of the negative impacts of industrial wind energy development on our environment, economy, and quality of life." Precursor of IWA, National Wind Watch is a US organisation with wider links, including international news coverage.

Maps of wind schemes - NE England & SE Scotland:

windbyte.co.uk - 'Tracking the Klondike windrush in N. E. England and S. E. Scotland.'
This site attempts to do what the strategic planners and local authorities are markedly failing to do: give an overview of wind power development in the region.

Northumberland and Newcastle Society - 'Summary of proposals for sites in Northumberland'. A locations map can be downloaded from the Summary page.

RESTATS - 'Renewable Energy STATisticS database.' From BERR department.

Renewable Energy and Environmental issues

ABS Energy Research - 'The Wind Power Report' (August, 2006). “The Wind Power Report is the most important we have produced to date; providing the most comprehensive study of the wind power market today.”(PDF summary; full report costs £830!).

'The Visual Issue' - Architech Animation Studios (UK) Ltd. (April, 2007). "For over a decade, windfarm visualisations have been the subject of controversy. Many communities across Scotland believe that the photomontages presented in the Environmental Statements are misleading and do not provide an accurate prediction of visual impact.
This paper endeavours to lift the veil of technical complexity to give you the facts behind the issue and the new SNH guidance" [SNH guidance also informs ES work in England & Wales]. Available as PDF download from site.

Wind turbine accident data from Caithness Windfarm Information Forum. Though wind turbines are better known for killing birds and bats than humans, there are many more accidents than the industry admits to.

Centre for rural Economics, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne - DP 6, 'Foot and Mouth - five Years On.' Important paper on the failure of rural regeneration after FMD.(PDF download)

Country Guardian - "Country Guardian is the National Campaign to oppose wind turbines in Britain's precious landscapes and promote energy conservation." Country Guardian oppose all turbine developments and their views and articles reflect this position.

Country Land & Business Association (CLA) - 'Renewable Energy - more than wind?' 2005. The CLA's policy analysis and recommendations on renewables.

Climate change and energy - CPRE Campaigns.

Council for Science and Technology Report on UK Electricity Supply. (May, 2005) - 'The Council for Science and Technology (CST) is the UK government's top-level advisory body on science and technology policy issues.'

'Tilting at Windmills: The economics of wind Power' by Professor David Simpson, The David Hume Institute (Occasional Papers, 65). (April, 2004) - "This paper asks whether the economic analysis of this source of energy really justifies such a major role and whether alternative policy options should be considered." [PDF file]

DTI/HMG 'The Energy Challenge', (July, 2006) - Government Energy Review report. Announced new nuclear programme and DTI's preferred option of banding the widely criticised Renewables Obligation. [PDF File]

E.ON Netz Wind Report 2005 [PDF Download or order] - E.ON Netz GmbH is responsible for the electricity transport grid of the E.ON Group in Germany. It has over 40% of German wind power capacity in its area, with 7,050 MW of installed wind power; it is one of the largest electricity grid operators in Europe.

'The case against wind 'farms'', by John Etherington, formerly Reader in Ecology in the University of Wales. “Dr Etherington writes with no affiliation to any campaigning organisation and is not a member of one. Neither does he receive payment from any part of the energy industry. He provides consultancy advice in the battle against unnecessary wind power on a pro bono basis” (Ninnau, The North American Welsh Newspaper, July 1, 2004).

House of Lords, Select Committee on Economic Affairs, 'The Economics of Climate Change'. (2nd Report of Session 2005-06) - "Given the wide array of potential technologies ... we are surprised that the Government’s Energy White Paper should place such emphasis on just one technology, wind energy."

'Debating the true cost of wind power electricity'European Process Engineer Magazine
"In a report published on 10 March [2006], the UK-based Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) reveals that electricity from offshore wind farms, currently the most viable renewable source, will cost at least twice as much as that from conventional sources."

Noise radiation from wind turbines installed near homes: effects on health.With an annotated review of the research and related issues.' Frey, Barbara J, BA, MA & Peter J Hadden, BSc, FRICS. February, 2007. - Interesting survey of noise research and reports of effects on health, property prices etc. (Large PDF download).

‘A guide to calculating the carbon dioxide debt and payback time for wind farms’. Dr M J Hall, FRSC, FIBiol. August 2006. Renewable Energy Foundation (REF).
Dr Mike Hall presents a detailed account of the various factors in the CO2 payback time for turbines, including calculations for peat degradation. (PDF download).

Industrial Wind Action - Informative US site with excellent foreign news coverage that can be filtered by country. “Industrial Wind Action was formed to counteract the misleading information promulgated by the wind energy industry and various environmental groups. Support for this effort comes from a large and diversified group of environmentalists, energy experts, and ordinary citizens.”.

John Muir Trust - The UK's leading wild land conservation charity believes that, "industrial-scale wind developments, are a major threat to our rapidly diminishing wild land".

Make Your Own Noise! - “Make Your Own Noise! (MYON) is a place to come and register your local noise nuisance. Using this site you can connect with others affected, sharing your experience and potentially gaining and providing guidance to other sufferers.”

Elizabeth Mann, 'The Democratic Deficit' - Examines aspects of the political/planning background of the wind power business in North East England.

Dr V.C. Mason, 'Wind power in Denmark, 2006.' - "Almost a fifth of the electricity produced annually in Denmark is generated by wind, yet only about 6% of the country’s electricity demand is satisfied directly from this source. Possibly two-thirds of its wind power output cannot be used to satisfy domestic needs at the moment of generation, and has to be exported (often at reduced prices) to preserve the integrity of the grid. Savings in carbon emissions are minimal. Public opposition and reduced subsidies have halted the deployment of on-shore wind turbines for the time being, but political and commercial interests are pressing to integrate much larger amounts of wind power into radically altered domestic and international transmission systems.."

National Audit Office Report on Renewables by the Comptroller and Auditor General. (11 February, 2005) - "... the level of support provided by consumers is in excess of that needed by many onshore wind schemes."

National Grid, 'Fluctuating Unpredictable Output and Standby Capacity' - '2006 Great Britain Seven Year Statement'. - "... for larger wind penetrations, the wind capacity that can be taken as firm is not proportional to the expected wind energy production. It follows that the electricity market will need to maintain in service a larger proportion of conventional generation capacity despite reduced load factors.."

National Trust - In their 'A call for the wild' campaign, NT used to state that: "the modest benefits of wind turbines must be carefully measured against their environmental and social costs".
In a dramatic U-turn, the National Trust have now abandoned this policy and are selling the use of their name to one of the most predatory of onshore wind developers, RWE NPower, offering a so-called a ‘green’ electricity tariff [see recent Observer article].
Under this scheme NPower pay NT for every customer they sign up. This scheme is being sold on the basis of NPower's very limited involvement in offshore wind and hydro, no mention of NPower's many onshore wind projects, some of which actually threaten the setting of properties and landscapes held in trust by NT!

National Wind Watch - Informative US site with excellent foreign news coverage that can be filtered by country. “A nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of the negative impacts of industrial wind energy development on our environment, economy, and quality of life.
We receive no support from any industry or political interests. Our funding comes only from concerned individuals.”.

The Northumberland and Newcastle Society - 'For our future heritage'. The Society has made a real effort to assess and report on the Klondike wind rush in Northumberland: see its 'Summary of proposals for sites in Northumberland'.

Oxford Energy Institute Comment on SDC Report. (May, 2005) - Malcolm Keay of OEI comments on the recent Sustainable Development Commission report on wind power generation. - "the report presents a distorted picture, exaggerating the benefits of wind power and underestimating the costs."

Public Accounts Committee Report on Renewable Energy (15 September 2005). (PDF file) - Parliament's Public Accounts committee criticises the existing renewables subsidy system as both wasteful and unjustifiably expensive.

Ramblers' Association - "We are not calling for a ‘ban’ on windfarms. Instead, we want government to change its policy so that power companies are encouraged to invest in a range of different technologies, and it simply becomes unnecessary to focus only on large-scale wind turbine construction."

Renewable Energy Foundation (REF) - "REF encourages the development of renewable energy and energy conservation whilst safeguarding the landscapes of the United Kingdom from unsustainable industrialisation."

RSPB Policy on Wind Farms - Downloadable Brochure (PDF file). Sets out RSPB policy that has been both ignored and contravened in the case of the 'Moorsyde' application (See MAG's Birds page).

Scottish Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF) . - "SSEF procures and disseminates research relevant to achieving a sustainable pattern of energy consumption and production in Scotland."

'The Dash for Wind - West Denmark’s Experience and UK’s Energy Aspirations', by Hugh Sharman, Incoteco (Denmark) ApS. (PDF file)
Interesting examination of the Danish experience of large scale wind power by an energy consultant. Examines the implications of large scale wind power for the UK supply system.

UK Energy Policy: The Small Business Perspective & The Impact on the Rural Economy. Researched and written by Candida Whitmill for, and on behalf of, the Small Business Council, February 2006. [PDF file]

The Scottish Wind Assessment Project - 'An ongoing programme of research which seeks to collate existing studies and commission new research to promote a thorough investigation of the claims made for and against the use of wind-generated energy.'
Interesting reports on Scottish wind power build; the subsidy regime's effect on various alternative energy sectors and an analysis of some of the so-called surveys and polls (Scottish) relating to wind power.

Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) - 'Wind Power in the UK', 19 May 2005 - This report from Jonathan Porritt's Government advisory group is a wildly optimistic account of the potential for wind power generation and is invariably the report that the BWEA, FOE and Greenpeace reference, while never mentioning one of its conclusions that, "It would be unrealistic to assume that wind energy would displace any nuclear capacity,".(p35). Many of its claims are now discredited both by real world evidence and by subsequent academic papers from less credulous sources. It is the subject of a critique by Malcolm Keay of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (PDF file).

The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research - 'Ensuring new and renewable energy can meet electricity demand: security of decarbonised electricity systems' (Technical paper 30, 2005). - "The performed capacity adequacy studies for the mid-term future UK electricity scenarios clearly show that the capacity value of wind generation plant is limited. Analysis was carried out for a wide range of wind penetrations to examine the generating capacity of conventional plant that can be displaced by wind, while maintaining a specified security level. We observed that wind generation only displaces a relatively modest amount of conventional plant, which means that in order to maintain the same level of security, a significant capacity of conventional plant will still be required."

Views of Scotland - Believes that, "That the case for wind power is seriously flawed from a scientific, economic and political perspective. Construction of wind power stations is causing unjustifiable and irreversible damage to some of Scotland’s greatest assets."
The VOS library page has a number of interesting papers available as PDF downloads.

Non-wind Renewable technologies

Examples of Danish biomass plant - "The largest output of sustainable energy in Denmark comes from biomass, that is, from the burning of, or the production of combustible gases from, hay, wood chips, manure from domestic animals, and garbage. Biomass accounts for 80% of the Danish production of sustainable energy." (Danish Govt. Portal)

Energy Power Resource Ltd (EPR) - Large scale biomass plant: "Ely Power Station at 38MW, is the largest straw burning power station in the world generating over 270GWh each year."

Marine Renewable Energy Devices (BWEA page) - Brief survey of some of the emerging marine technologies.

Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) - "Developing radically new technology, backed by the UK government, for exploiting tidal currents for large-scale power generation."
"An experimental 300kW test system, called "Seaflow" was successfully installed off Lynmouth in Devon in May 2003 and continues to deliver vital data. This is the world's first successful offshore tidal turbine and is the first step in developing this entirely new clean method of power generation. Seaflow is unique among "wet renewable" technologies in having met its design specification in full (it has actually exceeded its rated power of 300kW and consistently exceeded its rotor design efficiency) as well as having remained operable in open sea exposed conditions for almost three years."

Solar Century - “the UK’s leading solar energy company.“

Energy Conservation and Carbon Saving

Low Carbon Buildings Programme (DTI) - "The low carbon buildings programme will provide grants for microgeneration technologies to householders, community organisations, schools, the public and not for profit sector and private businesses."
Information on technologies and grant aid; work with the EST (above).
If you want a grant to put a turbine on your roof, this is the place (you are strongly advised to check the wind figures first!).
PS The LCBP grant allocation for March 2007 ran out within 1 hour of the start of the month! Now 'restructured' after wide-scale ridicule in the press; but still hugely under-funded.

The Carbon Trust - "The Carbon Trust helps business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supports the development of low carbon technologies.."

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) - The original DIY green technology centre. Still a bit naive about the reality of 'big wind', but lots of useful info on energy saving at the domestic level.

The Energy Saving Trust - "A non-profit organisation, funded by government and the private sector. Set up after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, we have two main goals: 1. To achieve the sustainable use of energy 2. To cut carbon dioxide emissions, one of the key contributors to climate change".

Renewable Energy UK - "Here you will find a wide range of up to date information about alternative energy generation. Our main focus is on wind power and solar power for the home, but you will also find details on topics as varied as electronics and biodiesel recipes."
Read their information on domestic turbines before you rush to B&Q!

The Wind Industry

British Wind Energy Association - BWEA - Wind industry trade body.

European Wind Energy Association - EWEA.

American Wind Energy Association - AWEA.

Politics & Planning - National

DBERR (formerly DTI) - Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Historically in thrall to the BWEA which seems to author the renewables section of its website.

DEFRA - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Ofgem - The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

Politics & Planning - Regional

GONE - Government Office North East. "Representing central government across North East England [...], we represent ten central government departments across the entire region."
Government Office Review (22/03/06): "conducted jointly by HM Treasury and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now called the Department for Communities and Local Goverment) and engaged a wide range of stakeholders including local government, regional institutions, Whitehall and the Government Offices themselves.
The Review found broad support for a more strategic role for GOs in future. A programme of transformational change will help GOs to streamline their role and build on their strengths to become more influential bodies."

NEA - North East Assembly. Regional strategic planning authority.

One NorthEast - "One NorthEast is the Regional Development Agency (RDA) covering North East England."

NEEP - North East Energy Partnership. "Takes the lead on developing and overseeing regional energy issues and is responsible for the co-ordination of the regional delivery of Energy White Paper targets."

NEREG - North East Renewable Energy Group. "NEREG takes the regional lead for co-ordinating activity in developing renewable energy installations and industry in the North East."
"The North East Renewable Energy Group (NEREG) has set up a wind subgroup to assess wind issues in the North East. This group does not discuss or consider specific applications. The group provides a neutral forum [hardly neutral when chaired by Dan Grierson of TNEI and dominated by wind industry representatives] to assess the potential for the North East in meeting the targets set out in the Regional Renewable Energy Strategy, which informed the Regional Spatial Strategy, and to commission work to gather the information and data needed to inform Regional wind activity. In these documents, the Region's wind resource was identified, along with the level of development needed to help the Region meet its target of 10% of electricity consumed to be generated by renewable sources by 2010. This group brings together a number of stakeholders, public bodies, local authorities, developers, consultants together to look at the gaps in information and the barriers to developing the Regional wind resource." [our emphasis]

"The Group is chaired by Dan Grierson of TNEI Services Ltd. [our emphasis] Its outputs include:
- development of a mapping tool to help assess the likely impact of wind turbine development on aviation interests in the North East [...] This study has been jointly commissioned by the Wind Subgroup in co-operation with a number of commercial developers. The tool and report can be purchased from the subgroup chair
- a number of wind awareness events are carried out during the year. In Jan/Feb of 2006, the group will hold a wind awareness event for councillors, planners and MPs. This event will include a visit to a working wind farm to view turbines in situ and in operation. This event will be notified on the events page of this web site

TNEI - "The Northern Energy Initiative (TNEI) is a European Centre for the development and promotion of energy technologies. It enjoys support from the UK Government, European Regional Development Fund, EU, Regional Development Agency and key energy related businesses in the North East of England."
TNEI typifies the crossover between publically funded QUANGO's and commercial consultancies in the renewables sector:
“TNEI has exceptional capability in relation to wind farm consenting and grid connection.” (TNEI website).

Local Political Representatives

Alan Beith, MP

Berwick - Borough and County Councillors.

Parish Councils

Groups, Northumberland:

Campaign for Responsible Energy Development In Tynedale (CREDIT) -
"Key aim is to protect the Tynedale landscape, culture and heritage by opposing inappropriate industrial scale development in the area, including wind power stations". Contacts: Carol Brodie (Chair) - Tel. 01434 634996; Karen Archbold (Secretary) - Tel. 01830 540300.

'SOUL' - 'Save Our Unspoilt Landscape ' is a group formed to fight the application by Catamount/Force 9 to build an array of nine 110.5m. [362 ft.] turbines at Barmoor (within 5 km. of the 'Moorsyde' proposal) in the beautiful, unspoilt landscape of North Northumberland.

Groups, Scottish Borders and Lothians:

Broadmeadows Action Group - Group opposing proposals by GreenPower for thirteen 112 metre (367 ft.) turbines near Yarrowford. The group are also opposing AMEC's application for the proposed Minch Moor array of fourteen 100 metre (328 ft.) turbines on forest enterprise land near Innerleithen. These schemes would dominate the Yarrow and Tweed valleys and severely impact on hillwalking routes such as the Southern Upland Way.

Coldingham STAG - Coldingham Stop the Turbines Action Group. PM Renewables (PI Renewables & Mistral Invest, owners of Your Energy Ltd, 'Moorsyde' developers) applied for 22 x 76m turbines at Drone Hill on Coldingham Moor. This proposal was decisively rejected by Scottish Borders Council on 12 November 2007. Appealed - see:

Dunion Hill Conservation Group - Group opposing a proposal by Windjen for eight 101 metre turbines on Dunion Hill and Black Law near Jedburgh. Proposal rejected by Scottish Borders Council on 10/9/07, appealed 10/3/08.

The Lammermuir Protection Group - Group opposing the industrialisation of the Lammermuir Hills with numerous huge turbine arrays. The Crystal Rig site, shortly due to be massively expanded, already skylines views from the 'Moorsyde'/Toft Hill/Barmoor area, as do the small (78m) turbines now being built at Black Hill, near Duns.

Penicuik Environment Protection Association (PEPA). - "Formed by residents of Penicuik, Carlops and Howgate communities to protect Auchencorth Moss near Penicuik from E.ON's proposal to build 18 x 2.5 MW wind turbines."

**Some Groups fighting Your Energy/Mistral proposals:**

'BLEW' - "'Bucks Lacks Enough Wind' is a group that has been formed as a community based organisation to research the proposals of the developers 'Your Energy' under their current guise 'Milton Keynes Windfarm Ltd' for a facility at Petsoe Manor, Emberton."
The proposal is for seven 406ft (124m) turbines in rural Buckinghamshire; YEL are labelling this one 'Milton Keynes Wind Farm', for obvious reasons. Passed 17 December 2007, by a single vote (6/5 split). Judicial Review possible.

Coldingham STAG - Coldingham Stop the Turbines Action Group. PM Renewables (PI Renewables & Mistral Invest, owners of Your Energy Ltd, 'Moorsyde' developers) applied for 22 x 76m turbines at Drone Hill on Coldingham Moor. This proposal was decisively rejected by Scottish Borders Council on 12 November 2007. Appeal lodged 11/01/08.

DART - Dorset Against Rural Turbines - Planning application by YEL for 9 turbines at Winterborne Zelston was refused 26 October 2004. Appeal rejected on technical grounds (Your Energy failed to consult the calendar).

StopCWF - 'Stop Cambridge Wind Farm' (StopCWF) is an action group of local residents, formed in May 2004, who oppose 'Your Energy's' plans to build a wind farm, consisting of 16 (100 metre high) wind turbines, on the ridge between Boxworth and Conington next to the A14 and in close proximity to many villages.
Application unanimously rejected by planners and committee. Appeal refused 8 December 2006. The Inspector accepted that the wind farm would have dominated the area’s character, appearance and landscape to such an extent that it would have outweighed the benefit of any contribution to regional renewable energy targets.

NOWAP - "set up in January 2004 by a group of concerned residents opposed to a proposal by a company called Saxon Windpower [the vehicle for Your Energy/Mistral's planning application] for six 101m (331ft) wind turbines on a farm near Parham in Suffolk."
Application approved 2006. Judicial review sought.

PWAG - Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group - Banks Developments are proposing to erect six 125m high wind turbines near Darrington, Wentbridge, Carleton and East Hardwick, near the A1, ESE of Pontefract in Yorkshire. YEL is proposing another array on a site between Knottingley and Eggborough NE of Pontefract, Yorkshire.

S-NOT Local Community Against Sixpenny Wood Wind Farm - “S-NOT is a local environmental group who object to the planned siting of a 10 turbine windfarm close to Howden, Laxton, Balhoklme, Eastrington and Gilberdyke [nr. Goole, E. Yorkshire]. The planned turbines are 125 metres tall which would make them three times taller than Howden Minster and would dominate our rural landscape.”

ThWART - "ThWART is a grass roots Isle of Wight group, pro Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, that is dedicated to preserving the landscape of the Island and to opposing the inappropriate siting of industrial wind turbines on the Island."
Application was unanimously rejected (October, 2006). YEL have threatened to resubmit with a slightly different proposal.

WHAG - West Hinkley Action Group - "Your Energy are planning to site 12 [now 9] giant 116m turbines on farm land on the coast at Shurton Bars. This is a beautiful part of West Somerset with coastal features including wave-cut platforms and rock formations. It is visited also for its many and varied forms of bird life throughout the year, from peregrine falcons to lapwings".
Application refused in October 2005. Appeal lodged in November 2005. October 2006: YEL submit a revised planning application for 9 turbines to run parallel with the appeal for 12 on the same site. November, 2006: YEL withdraw appeal and continue new application (costs awarded by Secretary of State to planning authority for YEL's behaviour).
Project sold to Electricite de France (EDF), who have announced their interest in building new generation of nuclear plants.(See Western Morning News, 14 May, 2008).

Some Other Groups, Scotland:

AWF - ArgyllWindFarms.com - “Facilitating an informed debate on the development of more Wind Farms in Argyll.
The largest member based wind farm lobby group in Scotland, AWF are in favour of renewable energy, but oppose inappropriately sited wind farms or too many wind farms in one area. AWF are increasingly concerned by the sheer number of wind farms being planned for the area.”

ASWAG - The Amulree & Strathbraan Windfarm Action Group - “Set up by residents at the start of 2004 as a result of proposals to build multiple large-scale wind farms in and around Amulree and Strathbraan in the golden triangle at the very heart of Scotland, with Aberfeldy to the north, Dunkeld to the east and Crieff to the west.”

Fairwind - “A wind factory information site for Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Mull.”.

Auchtermuchty Landscape and Environment Group - Opposing an application by Energie Kontor for five 100 metre high turbines on the outskirts of Auchtermuchty, in Fife.
Refused and turned down again on appeal, February 2008.

Barthol Chapel Wind Farm Action Group “Five planning applications [near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire] for full-size (90m or 300ft) wind turbines were published on 31st October 2006 with virtually no publicity or local consultation.
Whatever your opinion of wind power in general, this application marks a new type of wind farm, not sited in remote landscapes, but right on top of rural settlements in an attractive area of rolling countryside, where many people live and work.

Caithness Windfarm Information Forum - “is a group of people concerned by the potential destruction of the unique heritage of Caithness and Sutherland through industrial windfarm development for no material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and no significant contribution to climate change.”

CADEAP - Ceres and District Environment & Amenity Protection - “.A group dedicated to provide support and advice to those concerned about the proposal by EnergieKontor to build a wind farm at Gathercauld between Ceres and Baldinnie and to direct a constructive and informed campaign against this proposal.”

EVAG - Endrick Valley Action Group - Group opposing plans by NPower to build nine 125m (410 ft) turbines on Ballindalloch Muir, West Stirlingshire, near the village of Balfron and only 1.3 miles from where more than 1000 children are taught in the local secondary, primary and nursery schools.

Fairwind - “A wind factory information site for Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Mull.”.

FoF - Friends of the Forest - Group opposing a scheme to build 11 turbines, each 413 ft (126m) high, in what would be left of Montreathmont forest, in the historic heartland of Angus.
“The Montreathmont Wind Power Project brings us one step closer to the end of Bonnie Scotland” - David Bellamy 04/03/05.

GLARE - Galloway Landscape And Renewable Energy - “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.”

Highlands before Pylons - “A voluntary organisation whose aim is to protect and conserve the beautiful landscapes and natural habitats of the Highlands, for the benefit of local residents, visitors, and future generations.”

Ladymoor Wind Factory Action Group - “Ladymoor Renewable Energy Project is the largest onshore windfarm proposal for mainland Scotland (so far) and is being promoted by Wind Hydrogen Ltd (a subsidary of a private Australian firm). The proposal consists of 125 turbines each standing at a height of 125m (410ft) - this is one of the eight applications thought to consist of almost 300 turbines in the Regional Park [Clyde-Muirshiel Regional Park] area.”

Stop Lochluichart: 'A Wind Farm Too Far' - Fighting Anglo-Dutch developer Infinergy/LZN's plans to build 22 turbines, up to 410ft high, on the Lochluichart Estate, near Garve in Wester Ross.

FoF - Friends of the Forest - Group opposing a scheme to build 11 turbines, each 413 ft (126m) high, in what would be left of Montreathmont forest, in the historic heartland of Angus.
“The Montreathmont Wind Power Project brings us one step closer to the end of Bonnie Scotland” - David Bellamy 04/03/05.

Moorland Without Turbines - Group opposing the hundreds of turbines that are being proposed on Lewis. Scottish Natural Heritage describe Lewis as “a landscape of high natural heritage sensitivity and of world, international and national importance”. This scheme is almost beyond comprehension in its scope for damage to the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA) – a European environmental designation. The moorland is also a Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. the developers are also showing scant regard for the human environment and culture of Lewis.
If the Scottish Executive consents this proposal, nothing and nowhere is safe from industrial wind power development. we might as well tear up all landscape designations and hand over our most valued landscapes to the speculators.
“From the total number of representations received, 59 were recorded in support and 11,397 against the development.” (Parliamentary answer to Shona Baird, MSP)

SOS Moray - Save Our Scenic Moray - “12% of Scotland's wind turbines (89) are already located in Moray or close to the the border of Moray. ... however there are now proposals for 4 more wind farms IN MORAY, including a proposal to site 71 of the tallest turbines yet seen in Scotland slap in the middle of one of the most pristine areas of unspoiled wilderness still remaining in Moray.... The Glenfiddich and Blackwater hills, bordering on the Cairngorm National Park.”

Wind Farm Free Mull - “Argyll & Bute Council’s Finalised Draft local plan has identified Mull as a constrained area for windfarms. Mull is therefore considered to be an area that is essentially incompatible with commercial windfarm development (4 or more turbines).”

Stop Mull of Kintyre Wind Farm - “A Landscape Horror: Kilchattan Wind Farm would create an industrial backdrop and dominate the main settlement area and the surrounding low-lying farmland and coastal area.”
“A Site Outwith The Preferred Area Of Search: The proposed site lies within a ‘Constrained Area’ for the development of wind farms as detailed in Argyll & Bute’s Finalised Draft Local Plan. Argyll & Bute Council’s Finalised Draft local plan has identified Mull as a constrained area for windfarms. Mull is therefore considered to be an area that is essentially incompatible with commercial windfarm development (4 or more turbines).”

NAG - Nigg Awareness Group - Falck Renewables intend building five 125 metre (410 ft.) turbines on the Hill of Nigg, in Easter Ross.
“NAG is a growing group of local residents, representing a wide cross-section of the communities in the Hill of Nigg area and the Tarbat peninsula.
We feel strongly about saving the unique and beautiful landscape we are so lucky to enjoy and the setting for the magical Pictish sculpture and artefacts treasured by our communities and that draw so many visitors to our area.”

STOP turbines on Pressendye - “Pressendye is a landmark on Donside and Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire. With its neighbouring hills, it is a keystone in the Howes of Cromar and Cushnie. The hill is prominent from many spectacular viewpoints from all directions.
Developers intend to cover it with seven 80 metre (263ft) high towers, each bearing turbines with huge blades soaring 125 metres (410 ft) above the hill at speeds of up to 300kph.”

SWAG - Skye Windfarm Action Group - “"The aim of SWAG is to stop any windfarm development on Skye and where possible help to stop any windfarm developments in Scotland. The Enterprise and Culture Committee of the Scottish Parliament called SWAG to present evidence showing the need for a moratorium on all windfarm developments in Scotland pending a strategic plan for Scotlands's energy production."”

SWOG - Spittal Windfarm Opposition Group - “Formed in August 2004 by residents living around Spittal Hill in Central Caithness when we first saw the developers' scoping plans for a major windfarm on Spittal Hill.
The current plan is for 30 turbines 110 metres high, covering an area of about 3.43 square kilometres or 847 acres which, because of its size, will be submitted to the Scottish Executive rather than to Highland Council.”

Friends of Stallashaw Moss - “"The 'Friends of Stallashaw Moss' [nr. Auchengray, Lanarkshire] are opposing the construction of one of Scotland's tallest wind farms in a setting likely to cause unprecedented environmental & social intrusion in an area of immense vulnerability.
The proposed development will dominate the landscape for miles around with 6 turbine masts 262ft tall topped with a 3 bladed rotor measuring 295ft in diameter. All on an exposed site nearly 900ft high!"”

Some Other Groups - England & Wales:

Artists Against Wind Farms - A group formed by artist Christine Lovelock, daughter of Gaia theorist Dr James Lovelock

Stop Aston Wind Farm - A group of residents of Aston and Dutton, near Frodsham, Cheshire, fighting to prevent four enormous wind turbines, each over 400 feet tall, being erected on North Cheshire Green Belt land in the Weaver Valley. Application refused, decision has been appealed.
“The Group has reformed, and its key objective now is to ensure that the overwhelming arguments against this wind farm in this highly visible and sensitive location are properly and professionally presented to the Public Inquiry.”

BLOT - Belvoir Locals Oppose Turbines - “The objective of BLOT is to oppose the proposed development of industrial wind turbines or wind farms in the area of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire popularly known as the Vale of Belvoir; and in particular the proposed development in the area bounded by the villages of Bottesford, Normanton, Staunton, Long Bennington, Foston, Allington, Sedgebrook, Muston and Easthorpe.”

Stop Benington Wind Farm Action Group - “A proposal by R.H. Bott & Sons to erect three large (120m) wind turbines on High Elms Lane, between Benington, Aston and Watton-at-Stone in Hertfordshire.”

BWFOG - Berrier Wind Farm Opposition Group, - An action group opposing the construction of 9 huge wind turbines on Berrier Hill, near Blencathra.
“Saddleback, Blencathra is one of the great fortress mountains of the Northern Lake District. It is majestic & seems wonderfully wild. This will be ruined should the proposed wind turbines at Berrier be supported.” Lord Melvyn Bragg.

BMPG - Betws Mountain Preservation Guide - Betws Mountain, (Mynydd y Betws in the Welsh language) overlooks the village of Betws, the town of Ammanford, the valleys of the rivers Amman and Loughor and the beautiful countryside of the County of Carmarthenshire. Developer Eco 2 proposes building sixteen, 100 metre (possibly larger) turbines on the mountain.

SBWT - Stop Bickerton Wind Turbines - “An action group dedicated to protect and conserve the landscape, tranquillity and wildlife of the Bickerton Hill area [of Cheshire] for the benefit of residents, visitors and local businesses.”

Blaen Bowi Action Group - Already suffering from three turbines: “Since being installed they have caused significant problems to local residents in terms of health, noise nuisance, disruption to TV signals and of course value of local property.” An application to double the number of turbines was defeated in October 2007 and is now being appealed.

SPAWF - Staffordshire Protest Against Wind Farm - Opposing a proposal by Harworth Power to erect 3 x 102m wind turbines at Bleak House, nr. Wimblebury, Cannock, Staffordshire.

BLOT - Bodmin and Lanivet Oppose Turbines, - An action group opposed to the proposed building of huge wind turbines in the Lanivet, Bodmin area in the beautiful countryside of North Cornwall.
Ecotricity wants to build at least six 330 feet (100 metre) wind-turbines in the Reperry Cross area, on the side of the hill stretching alongside the Bodmin bypass.

BLOT - Bozeat Lavendon Oppose Turbines - "We are the campaign organisation for the villages surrounding the proposed Windfarm Development by Npower at Nun Wood that will lay across the three counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire and will have an immediate and major impact on the villages of Bozeat (Northants), Harrold (Beds) and Lavendon (Bucks) along with many smaller villages and communities within the area."

BATTLE - Bradwell And Tillingham Tackling Lost Environment - NPower won an appeal (10.09.2007) against the refusal for ten 400 foot wind turbines between the villages of Bradwell on Sea and Tillingham, on the Dengie Peninsular in Essex. This has now been overturned by a High Court decision.
See also SIEGE below, who are fighting two further proposals in the area.

BWAG - Baumber Wind Farm Action Group - Group formed to oppose a proposal by Enertrag for eight 125m. turbines at Chase Farm, Baumber, near Horncastle in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

KNOll to Wind Farm - Proposal by Ecotricity for five 100 metre turbines which would dominate the Somerset Levels landscape and severely damage the historic landscape of Brent Knoll was rejected by a Planning Inspector on 15 January 2008, following a public inquiry triggered by Ecotricity's appeal against refusal by the LPA.

Cefn Croes photo-gallery - Rape of an upland plateau - More grim reality - the destruction of a landscape as a turbine array is built. IF YOU LOOK AT NOTHING ELSE, LOOK AT THIS.

ChART - Cheshire Against Rural Turbines - Group formed to oppose a proposal by NPower for 3 x 100m turbines at Oxheys Farm, Rushton, near Tarporley.

RACT - Residents Against Chedburgh Turbines - "We are a group of residents living in Suffolk, near Bury St Edmunds. A proposal to build a wind farm consisting of 7 or 8 125m high turbines is currently being considered for a disused airfield close to where we live."

CAT - Chilla Against Turbines - Campaign drawing support from the communities of Halwill, Chilla, Black Torrington, Highampton, Odham, Northlew, Sheepwash, Shebbear and Beaworthy in North Devon which opposes plans by Scottish Power to build 15 large-scale (up to 125m.) wind turbines on Chilla Moor.

ATAC - Against Turbines At Chiplow - “ATAC is a group formed in August 2007 to fight the proposals by E.On UK to build a wind farm at Chiplow in West Norfolk, UK.”

ACT - Against Congham Turbines - Group formed to respond to the Iberdrola's proposal for the erection of 26 x 2 MW turbines between Grimston and Hillington, near Kings Lynn, in Norfolk. Proposal in abeyance - landowner has withdrawn from scheme.

Cotton Farm Action Group - Group opposing a proposal by NPower to construct 8 massive wind turbines, up to 127m (416ft high), at Cotton Farm overlooking the Ouse Valley in Cambridgeshire.

DATED - Darrington Against Turbine Energy Deployment - Group opposing a proposal by Banks Group to construct 6 massive wind turbines, up to 125m (410ft high), at Westfield Lane, Darrington, near Pontefract, Yorkshire.

Den Brook Wind Farm - Application for Judicial Review - Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has been given approval to build nine 400 ft high wind turbines in mid-Devon's Den Brook Valley. Planning permission was originally refused by the local Council, but was overturned on appeal. The local community are raising funds to finance a judicial review of the decision. PLEASE HELP.

NEWT - No Ellands Wind Turbines - Action group set up by villagers from Thurning, Hemington, Luddington-in-the-Brook and Clopton to oppose plans by Enertrag to build six 120m-130m (394ft-427ft) wind turbines at Ellands Farm, Hemington, in East Northamptonshire. Refused on appeal, August 2007.

FELLS - Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Scenery - "FELLS began its fight to protect the countryside of Cumbria and North Lancashire from inappropriately sited wind farms in June 2000 and continues to provide support and up to date information to community groups opposing wind farm developers in the area."

FLAT - Fenland Landscape Against Turbines - "FLAT is a campaign to stop wind turbines being erected at Marshland St James, Norfolk."

FORCE - Friends of Rural Cumbria's Environment - "Committed to opposing inappropriately sited wind energy development in Cumbria and to challenging government guidelines which fail to protect the countryside from this unacceptable industrialisation."

CAWT - Campaign Against Wind Turbines at Fullabrook Down - "CAWT is a group of people concerned about the environment and committed to protecting North Devon's landscape". Following a public inquiry, the inspector found against the objections of local councils and other organisations and approved the application for 22 x 110m turbines. The decision formed the traditional treat for the BWEA during the Minister's keynote address to their annual conference. We hear that the local Council are considering applying for judicial review.

SHOWT - Stop Hempnall's Onshore Wind Turbines - SHOWT is an action group of local villages campaigning against Enertrag UK's proposal to develop a wind power station at Hempnall, a small village in rural South Norfolk some seven miles south of Norwich and with a population of just under 1300 people.

Hook Moor Wind Farm Action - "Hook Moor Wind Farm Action has formed to oppose plans to erect a wind farm of between 5 and 8 turbines, each 406 feet high (125metres) on Green Belt land between the village of Micklefield and Hook Moor [nr. Leeds].

Stop Kelmarsh Wind Farm - Kelmarsh Hall is a Grade 1 listed building in northern Northamptonshire owned by a private charitable Trust. The gardens are also listed. The Trustees of the Kelmarsh Hall Trust are proposing to have seven 120 m. wind turbines erected next to the Civil War battlefield of Naseby which borders the Kelmarsh Hall estate to the West.

Stop Linton Wind Farm Action Group - "Enertrag, a German wind farm developer, is proposing to build an eight turbine wind farm on the ridge between Linton, The Abingtons, Great Chesterford and Hadstock [South Cambridgeshire]. Each turbine will be 125/130m high, the tallest yet to be built in England."

MAIWAG - Marton, Askam & Ireleth Windfarm Action Group - Archived version of site. See also David Brierley's presentation (on the StopCWF website) about MAIWAG's experience of lies, deception and the reality of living with turbines.

Mynydd Llansadwrn Action Group - Action group set up to protect Mynydd Llansadwrn, part of the spectacular undulating landscape of Carmarthenshire, in south Wales, from speculative developers.

Save North Devon from Wind Turbines - “ A central resource for the latest information regarding wind turbine developments in North Devon. It links existing North Devon objection groups and aims to serve the public by providing the full story, not just the information that the wind farm developers want to promote.”

PACT - People Against Corwen/Cerrigydrudion Turbines (North Wales Wind Watch) - "A campaign group FOR a sensible environmentally sensitive sustainable energy strategy which combines serious committment to energy conservation; off-shore wind power,tidal,solar,biomass and other renewable energy sources but, campaigns passionately AGAINST the senseless,indiscriminate siting of wind power plants in our rural areas."

PWAG - Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group - Banks Developments are proposing to erect six 125m high wind turbines near Darrington, Wentbridge, Carleton and East Hardwick, near the A1 ESE of Pontefract in Yorkshire. Your Energy Ltd. is proposing another array on a site between Knottingley and Eggborough NE of Pontefract.

VORTEX - - Group fighting an application by Nuon Renewables for 7 x 105m turbines on a site at Poplar Lane, Bearstone, North Shropshire.

PRESERVE - "Formed to provide a community response to the proposed development by Chelveston Renewable Energy Limited of at least 14 wind turbines, each higher than St. Paul’s Cathedral and a large-scale factory for recycling animal and household waste."

SHWAG - Seamer & Hilton Windfarm Action Group - SHWAG was set up to oppose a proposal by Broadview Energy for five 126m turbines on open farmland between Seamer and Hilton straddling the border between North Yorkshire and Cleveland.

AGAST - Action Group Against Sempringham Turbines - Action group of local residents who oppose Iberdrola’s scheme for six 120m wind turbines on green belt agricultural land at Neslam Farm, Sempringham Fen in the Lincolnshire Fens.

SOCME - Save Our Common Mountain Environment - Group opposing a proposal by National Wind Power for a large wind power station on the profoundly beautiful and historic Mynydd Y Gwair (The Hay Mountain), North Gower.

SOS - Save Our Scenery - Npower Renewables want to site the largest offshore wind farm in the UK in our bay. We already have 30 wind turbines off Prestatyn some 14 miles off our heritage coastline but they currently intrude upon our bay on clear days. Consent already exists for a further 30 (Rhyl Flats consented in 2003) This will take the cumulative total to 60. The Gwynt-Y-Mor (Windy Sea ) will add a further 200+ of the largest turbines yet at 520 feet. These will be approximately 5 miles off the Llandudno Promenade. A total of 260… a fence of steel will enclose the bay.

COST - Community Opposed to Shap Turbines - Opposing a proposal by Gamesa for ten 100 metre turbines that threaten Shap and the Eden Valley.

SIEGE - Southminster Inhabitants Environmental Group Enterprise - Group campaigning against 2 proposals, by Ridgewind and RES for a total of 29 turbines on the Dengie Peninsular in Essex (See BATTLE above for group fighting another 10 in this area).

STAPLE - South Tendring Acting to Protect our Local Environment - Group opposing a proposal by NPower for an array of 5 x 410 ft. turbines near Clacton-on-Sea in Essex. STAPLE says there would be 6,000 people living within 0.5 to 1.0 miles of the turbines.

SHCG - Stonewall Hill and Reeves Hill Conservation Group - "Set up to co-ordinate actions and protect the tranquillity of Stonewall and Reeves hill [Herefordshire] which are under threat from wind power station developers."

SSWFAG - Stop Swinford Wind Farm Action Group - Group opposing a proposal by Nuon for 11 x 125 metre (410 ft.) turbines between the villages of Swinford and Walcote in Leicestershire.

Tallentire Area Action Group - Group opposing plans by Novera Energy to erect 5 massive wind turbines at Fleeter Wood close to Tallentire and Townhead, Dearham, in the Northern Fells of Cumbria.

Stop Wadlow Wind Farm - Group opposing proposal by Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) to build thirteen 120 metre (393 ft.) high wind turbines at Wadlow Farm in South Cambridgeshire.

Visit Wales Now - Visit Wales and see the spectacular landscape!

SWCP - Save Westwood Country Park - Group formed by local people to oppose the construction of wind turbines proposed by Sheffield City Council for Westwood Country Park.
"Westwood Country Park is a green area set aside for the PUBLIC. It is a beautiful and tranquil site; rich in wildlife; and enjoyed by people for jogging, rambling, dog walking, and play by adults and children alike."

VORTEX - - Group fighting an application by Nuon Renewables for 7 x 105m turbines on a site at Poplar Lane, Bearstone, North Shropshire.

WWFO - Wolds WindFarm Opposition - A group of residents from Skerne, Hutton, Watton, Watton Carrs and Hutton Cranswick, in Yorkshire, opposing the construction of ten 125m turbines.

WWAG - Woodford Wind Farm Action Group - WWAG is opposing plans by NUon Energy for 120 metre (400ft) wind turbines at Preston Fields Farm, near Preston Capes, Little Preston, Charwelton, Woodford Halse and Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire. The site is within a kilometre of housing and about 800m from Woodford Primary School.

SWWAG - Stop Wyverstone Windfarm Action Group - Set up to oppose a proposal by Wind-power Renewables to build two 125m (410ft) wind turbines at Potash Farm, Wyverstone in Suffolk.

Some Foreign Groups:

Save Upstate New York - Site has some interesting video testimony on people's experience of living close to large wind turbines.

Stopillwind.org - “An educational resource about industrial wind.”

Ventdubocage - Opposing industrial wind power in France. Lots of interesting links, especially if you have a bit of basic French.

Friends and Supporters

Laurie Campbell - Natural History Photographer - Laurie is one of Scotland's leading natural history and landscape photographers.