What other deceptions do SSE have planned for us?
Sir – It is of little surprise that SSE would employ dubious and underhand practices to further the desecration of our beautiful countryside. Nevertheless, its application to extend Gordonbush’s 35 turbines by a further 16, a mere six months after the initial "farm" was completed is hard to credit.
Do SSE really think that the public are so gullible as to believe that this "extension" wasn’t part of the original plan? Remember, it was a tactic employed at Kilbraur and elsewhere. And, aside from being underhand and a clear attempt to dupe the public, it begs the question: What other little plans do they have up their sleeves?
If approved, Gordonbush will have 51 turbines measuring 132m high; Kilbraur a similar number. But who knows how many more "extensions" are going to be put forward, "when the time is right".
Already, the negative impact on the local economy is evident. All sectors of the local tourist economy report their slowest summer season in many years. And you don’t have to look far in either Brora or Helmsdale for evidence of the drop in tourist numbers. The "To Let" signs tell you all you need to know.
It seems impossible to have an honest debate with these people, who deliberately conceal their long-term ambitions, minimise the environmental impact of their activities, grossly exaggerate the economic benefits to the local community (just remember that the so- called local community benefit donation is but a tiny sum that comes out of the millions paid by all of us in renewable supplements on our energy bills) and deceive the people they claim to serve.
The only course of action is to object to this extension and indeed the awful plans for Altnaharra that serve only to benefit only a handful of some wealthy individuals and these multi national corporations, and definitely not us.
David Graham
70 Dalreavoch,
*David Graham is a member of campaign group No More Windfarms.
