An Argyllshire farmer has told his local council that his application for a new wind farm on his land near the British government’s nuclear weapons base at Faslane is ‘economically essential’ to keep his business going.
Farmer Robert Hamilton has applied for Argyll & Bute cooncil planning permission to build two 48-metre high wind turbines at Laigh Balernock, a hillside site above the village of Shandon. The turbines would have an operational lifespan of 25 years
A letter prepared by Hamilton’s agent, Ayrshire-based VG Energy, states: “This development is the difference between the survival of the family farm at Laigh Balernock and ceasing to exist.
“The turbines, capable of a total annual output of 500 kilowatts, will generate funds to allow the farm to grow and develop.
“This development is crucial to the development and viability of the farming business, and it will allow the business to grow and expand.
“The funds generated from these turbines will be invested into the farm itself along with the local community to ensure continued operation and employment.”
Hamilton said his proposed wind farm would have no impact on tourism in the area and added: “With the site’s proximity to the Faslane nuclear base, these turbines do not necessarily present an alien man-made feature into the landscape – which has already been drastically altered by the <naval> compound.”
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