Public exhibitions for two proposed wind farms go live online this month with the creation of two ‘virtual village halls’.
Energy company Vattenfall are launching the online tool to enable local people learn more about their proposals for Quantans Hill and Whiteneuk Wind Farms, and to create more opportunities to provide feedback before the wind farm designs are finalised and submitted to planning later next year.
Taking the traditional village hall exhibition format as their inspiration, the virtual village hall exhibitions will include information boards and feedback forms as well as virtual drive-throughs and other interactive features. There will be details of the wind farm design, plus information on Vattenfall’s approach to protecting and enhancing natural habitats; creating work, skills and business opportunities for local people, and delivering community benefits packages which maximise impact and reflect local needs and aspirations.
The exhibitions will be live throughout the winter and will be complemented by live online sessions where the local community can meet the team behind the plans, ask questions and make suggestions.
Announced earlier this year, Quantans Hill Wind Farm and Whiteneuk Wind Farm proposals are located in Dumfries and Galloway. Quantans Hill is located around 2km east of Carsphairn, with Whiteneuk around 5km south of Moniaive. Vattenfall’s plans for each are at an early stage, and detailed environmental impact assessments are now underway for both, with feedback welcomed from the local community.
Vattenfall’s Project Manager, Matthew Bacon, explained:
“We believe it is essential that local communities have the opportunity to influence the project designs, and we are at the stage now where this feedback can have the most influence, so we would urge anyone who is local to either proposal to take a look and get involved.
“Feedback, especially from people who live and work in these areas, will help us design the best projects we can, ones that balance the need to efficiently generate renewable electricity, protect the natural environment and deliver tangible benefits for local communities.”
Carol Kane, Vattenfall’s Regional Liaison Officer for South West Scotland added:
“Throughout the pandemic, Vattenfall has taken a safety-first approach, prioritising the wellbeing of local communities as well as our colleagues. Whilst we remain optimistic that it might be possible for face-to-face community events to resume next year, we want to ensure local people are kept informed in the meantime and have opportunities to speak with us and ask questions. The virtual exhibitions and online sessions are additional ways for those who can to connect with us digitally from the comfort of their own homes and, in the case of the exhibitions, at a time and date that suits. Plus, for those who are unable to get online, we are available by phone and will be happy to post out materials where appropriate.”
The first online discussion meetings are scheduled for Wed December 16th (Quantans Hill) and Thurs December 17th (Whiteneuk), with further opportunities to follow in the near year.
Links to the virtual exhibitions and details of the online discussions are available at
www.vattenfall.co.uk/
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