IMPORTANT INFORMATION 7th September 2015

NOTE that the Helensburgh wind farm application has been withdrawn, though another one may be submitted. For details see under "News" on this website.

What follows on this page is therefore past history and TEG-H will be revising its whole website when there are reasons to do so. 

The now-withdrawn Helensburgh Wind Farm Proposal

NOTE :  IT MAY REAPPEAR AS A MODIFIED APPLICATION

 Three commercial organisations had submitted a planning application for a wind farm. They were Green Cat Renewables Ltd. (a renewable energy consultancy), Luss Estates (landowner) and Helensburgh Renewables Ltd. (a commercial arm of a Helensburgh Community Development Trust). In this website the word ‘developers’ refers to this partnership. The application is in the name of Helensburgh Renewables, with Green Cat as agent.

We were informed that the proposal was for five Enercon E53 wind turbines, 86.5 metres high to blade tip and 60 metres hub height. It is expected that these would produce electricity which would be linked to an existing substation. That previous proposal would have a rated capacity of 800kW per turbine. (Total 4 MW for the wind farm.)

There would be temporary installations during construction. We understand that there would also be a compound for site offices, storage and facilities for the 25 years’ duration of the wind farm. Although it is smaller than some wind farms, it is still a substantial scheme with tall turbines in “very sensitive” (Argyll and Bute Council term) countryside.

Proposed turbine site seen from the northern
entry point to the town (above)

There would also be a traffic-bearing track or road across the moorland. Each turbine would be transported in five sections by special transporters.

The turbines themselves would be on the territory of the Rhu and Shandon Community Council, but will mostly be seen from Helensburgh. It will affect other areas such as Luss & Arden, Cardross, the National Park and across the Clyde. Some of the supporting infrastructure will be in the Helensburgh Community Council territory.


The photomontage (right) indicates how the turbines might appear from Kidston Park. The boundary between the territory of the Rhu and Shandon Community Council and that of the Helensburgh Community Council runs down the hillside shown in the picture.