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Update: CGDT Community Wind Turbines at Stronafian

We are presently awaiting determination over our planning application for the siting to two community wind turbines on Stronafian Forest. The decision should be imminent, but in the meantime we have recently been asked about the financial forecasts that we are working with.

Firstly we should say that we are legally bound by confidentiality agreements which protect the intellectual property rights of our wind turbine developer.

The legal conditions on our working financial forecasts begin with this statement:

By receiving this document, CGDT (“the recipient”) agrees to keep permanently confidential the information contained herein or made available in connection with any further enquiries (the “Information Provided”). The Information Provided may be made available only to a the recipient’s employees and professional advisors directly involved in the appraisal of such information. The Information Provided shall not, either in whole or in part, be copied, reproduced, distributed or otherwise made available to any other party in any circumstances … nor may it be used for any other purpose than that for which it is intended.

Unfortunately, this is not ideal, and it means we can only talk in very general terms about the figures we have been given. Firstly, there are two forms of income which will accrue to the community. There will be community benefit payments (which all windfarm developers pay) which will be at a rate of over £5000 per MW/h. This will be set aside in a trust for the community to use, rather as it has been for the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust. There will also be profits earned by the installation as profit by an arms­length subsidiary of CGDT’s. These profits will be paid to the Development Trust tax free, given its charitable status, and will amount to at least £50,000 per annum on average over the lifetime of the installation, and probably much more. Of course our forecasts also include variables such as interest rates and the types of loans we will be able to obtain, but by using the arms’­length company we limit the liability to CGDT and therefore the community as well. Indeed, the profits I mention take into account all the costs incurred in installation, operation and dismantlement.

Once we have returned the forest to its pristine pre­wind turbine state we anticipate the community will have had the opportunity to benefit from well over £2M. CGDT has obtained over £2.5M funding for projects thus far from an initial seed investment of c. £50K by the Cruach Mhor Windfarm Trust, the potential therefore for Colintraive and Glendaruel to draw down much greater funding becomes possible with the advent of these turbines and the income they will provide.

When and if we receive consent, we will then be in a position to finalise the figures further, and we hope to give a more detailed answer to everyone. Of course, the delays on the planning decision erode this, particularly after the recent changes made by the Westminster Government on renewables.

Indeed, it is the view of the Wind Turbine working group, that if the project wasn’t able to return an income of £50,000 per annum on average, then it would recommend to the board of the trust that the project shouldn’t go forward, even with consent given.

We thoroughly understand that some members of the community have objections to the appearance of the turbines themselves. However, we would argue, that (a) the benefit accruing to the community is worth it (b) the turbines will be there only for the lifetime of the project, and then taken down. The success on Gigha shows that turbines can work well for a community, providing a basis for real and lasting change.

To show the impact, from perhaps the most critical view, we have taken a screengrab of the wireframe and photomontage showing the visual impact of the turbines. The first image is a closeup, and the second gives the full panorama.

Please note the wireframes do not show the masking effect of vegetation, including the commercial forestry plantation, however the photomontage does. In this case, for this view, only the closest of the turbines is visible over the tops of the trees:

160329-windturbines

The full panorama is below:

160329-full-view

The full set of montages are available at the Development Trust office.

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Energy Efficiency Environment Forestry Glendaruel News Opportunities Projects Renewables

Call for Tender on Hydro Sites in Glendaruel!

Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust (CGDT) is seeking tenders for the provision of a feasibility assessment for potential micro hydro schemes. The consultant will provide technical advice and assistance to help CGDT utilise their local hydro resource, with the aim
of creating income for the local community, increasing employment opportunities at CGDT and supporting the Scottish Government renewables targets.

CGDT is seeking a consultant who can provide expertise, knowledge and resources not otherwise available in the community. Knowledge of small scale hydro feasibility assessment, hydro development work and extensive practical knowledge in the field will be essential along with demonstrable experience of assistance with similar projects.

Closing date for tenders is Monday 1st September and all inquiries to eamon@cgdt.org

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Forestry News Press & Publicity Projects Recruitment Renewables Stronafian Woodland Crofts

We’re recruiting at CGDT!

COMMUNITY FOREST DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

  • Contract worth:  £28,000
  • Initial period: 1 Year

A varied role with sustainable woodland development its core and community revitalisation its heart.

Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust is recruiting for a new Community Forest Project Officer to work with the board over the coming year to maintain the momentum in our high profile and highly successful Stronafian Forest Project.

Purchased in February 2013 for £1.55M Stronafian forest is the trust’s flagship project, providing a focus for the community’s aspirations to increase local employment, housing and visitor attractions, as well as sustainable income through renewables. In our first year we met and exceeded many of our funder-led objectives, but it is in our second year we expect the project to take off and provide the foundation for an ongoing and exemplary community endeavour.

On the agenda for a successful candidate will be woodland crofts, the chambered cairn, a wind turbine, woodland burials, access design and management, deer management, woodfuel, walker and mountain bike use and a potential dark skies park. Of course there will also be funder liaison, including claims and report writing, as well as all the necessary administrative tasks which come with that, and equally important will be liaison with the community, our commercial forestry tenant and their clients.

The role is therefore multi-faceted, needing a person with the strategic vision to manage the project, and also the experience both at a commercial and community levels who understands the forestry context.

With potential to continue beyond the period we are now advertising for, the focus in the coming year will be to continue with our highly successful and motivated community working groups as well as pursuing positive outcomes with the wind turbine, crofting, housing and biomass.

Based at the Colintraive Village Hall office, the successful candidate will become part of a highly successful team at the trust which is presently delivering excellent and ongoing Climate Challenge Fund Project “Greener ColGlen”, as well as planning the revitalisation of the Cowal Way, a Community Broadband project for Southwest Cowal and a further community asset acquisition.

We are open to applications from candidates who cannot commit to a full-time contract but are willing to share it on a pro rata part-time basis.

Application packs are available by writing to Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, The Village Hall, Colintraive, Argyll, PA22 3AS, via email at cgdt@cgdt.org, can be downloaded here, or by telephoning 01700 841358.   Applicants should be available for immediate start.   Closing date for applications Monday 28th April 2014