YOUR VIEWS: Overrun with wind farm applications, a padlocked cemetery and flower power help needed
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Time to stop and think over industrialisation of the Highlands
We now have so many applications from the wind industry to build yet more industrial infrastructure in Caithness that it is basically a full-time job to keep on top of developments. We have to read public notices, go to countless consultation days, at least try to skim-read applications which can easily fill thousands of pages and keep track of applications over years with more and more material submitted, even if a site is clearly unsuited for a development.
No wonder an application can slip by with no objections. It is not because people don’t care, it is because they can’t cope and because they know that no matter how hard they and their local councils fight, developments will in the end be approved by Scottish ministers anyway.
Meanwhile, if you add the officially released figures, it becomes clear that Scotland can cover its future peak demand predicted for 2050 not once or twice with all the renewable projects in the pipeline but almost eight times! There is simply no need for this.
Already now, before all the projects in the pipeline are built, the grid can’t cope with the production and wind farms have to be turned off and paid to do so by the consumer. SSE makes out that what we need to address the situation are new and massive overhead lines all over the Highlands.
However, this will not solve the underlying problem; it will just lead to more wind farms and more substations in the Highlands, completely industrialising the area.
What we need is for the ministers to stop and think. They need engineers to analyse the situation, they need to stop false incentives and start filling in the gaps in the system. We don’t need more wind farms. We need a way to balance the grid (and ineffective batteries polluting the environment will not work, it will need hydro or nuclear) and we need to address pinch points in the grid (for example the connection to England). They have to start taking responsibility!
Otherwise what is Scotland’s wealth will be destroyed forever – its beautiful scenery, its tourism industry, its nature with many endangered species, its unique peat bog capturing CO2 and its rural population taking care of these things – and all of this not to save the planet but just to make a few big multinationals richer. Is this really the legacy they want to leave behind?
Kathrin Haltiner
Westerdale
Halkirk
Padlocked cemetery causing distress
Wick new municipal cemetery has been closed to vehicles for at least the last three Saturdays, the notice on the gate is inappropriate as it is nothing to do with why the cemetery is closed.
I understand from an archive article in the John O’Groat Journal (March 2023) that the reason for closure is due to some vehicles having caused damage to paths and lairs.
A member of my family is disabled and unable to access a family grave, which is causing distress. There are of course others in the same position, whether they are unable to do so in a car or motorised wheelchair.
Little thought seems to have gone into consideration of the elderly, infirm and disabled – or their feelings on not being able to visit a loved ones grave – before padlocking the double gates.
I have contacted a local councillor and to date have not received a satisfactory reply.
Cllr Raymond Bremner in fact stated in the article of March 2023: “I know that many need access to be able to visit and attend their loved ones so we have to come up with a solution that makes the cemetery accessible to those who need it but protects it from damage at the same time.” It is now April 2024 – a 'solution' should have been in place before closure.
Discrimination is against the Equality Act 2010 – the groups mentioned above are being discriminated against, it is unlawful.
Caroline Wilkins
Braes of Harrow
Growing pains
Town flowerbeds bring pleasure to the eye and nose, and effect a subconscious change in the way we perceive the urban environment.
Thanks to a generous donation from local Co-Op customers as well as other grants, there are now plans for planters and hanging baskets in Rotterdam Street.
I also have maintained planters at Thurso railway station for some years which welcome weary travellers.
The effort into planting and maintaining the flowers is always worth it when the aroma hits you straight away.
But there are always the weeds. I have been fortunate to have been joined by other volunteers – however I would appreciate help from more volunteers to help keep the weeds at bay.
Why wait until volunteer week in June? Start now! Any help, no matter how small, will make this small grey town by the sea bloomin' marvellous.
Get in touch on alexanderglasgow.foi@gmail.com or Facebook @caithness.manifesto
Alexander Glasgow
Tower Hill Road
Thurso
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