We are proposing turbines up to 146.5m to blade tip although the actual dimensions will be dependant on the turbine selected. A range of turbines are commercially available and the final choice will depend on economics and available technology at the time of construction.

We have applied to the Scottish Government for permission to build and operate a windfarm comprising of 99 turbines.

The proposed towers are tapered, tubular and made of steel, painted white or light grey. The blades are made of fibreglass-reinforced epoxy. Turbines are usually light grey because this is the colour which is most inconspicuous under most lighting conditions. The finish is matt, to reduce relected light.

Wind turbines start operating in only a gentle breeze and reach maximum power output after 12 metres/second (around 27 miles per hour). At wind speeds of about 60 miles per hour the wind turbines choose to shut down to avoid damage.

Windfarms normally receive planning permission to operate for 25 years, and after this we would need to re-apply for planning permission, or decommission the site and return the land it to its former state. Any consent will certainly contain decommissioning requirements which usually require all visible traces of the windfarm to be removed.

There is no evidence to suggest that windfarms have a negative effect on tourism. In fact, the opposite is often found to be the case and many developers are asked to provide a visitor centre, viewing platforms and rights of way to their sites. A MORI poll in Scotland carried out in 2002 showed that 80% of tourists would be interested in visiting a windfarm. The UK's first commercial windfarm at Delabole received 350,000 visitors in the first ten years. The turbine at Swaffham in Norfolk enjoys 10,000 visitors a year.

ScottishPower Renewables has opened a visitor centre and environmental education facility at our operational Whitelee Windfarm, just south of Glasgow. Over 200,000 visitors have been welcomed through the doors since it opened in September 2009. To learn more about this facility including directions and opening times please click here.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors have undertaken studies to assess if there is an affect on the house prices due to the construction of a windfarm. In general the survey shows that any variation in house value occurs at the time of the application as is the case with any major development.

The house prices appear to recover after the windfarm has been constructed. Detached houses have been shown to have the most immunity to a decrease in house price. 

In extremely rare circumstances, some interference to TV reception is possible. The main cause of problems are weak signals that are being received by old or poorly positioned aerials.

We anticipate that any issues with tv reception will be covered as part of a planning condition and would be rectified by SPR.

Unfortunately this is not possible. Electricity supply is a regulated industry and current legislation prevents this. Due to the design of the national electrical distribution system it is more efficient for the turbines to be connected into the exisiting grid network, where it will be mixed in with electricity produced by a variety of power generation sources, such as gas and coal fired power stations.