Below are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ's) that we have received about the proposal to date. We also have (FAQ's) that relate to topics relevant to the whole of the wind industry. This information can be accessed by clicking on the "Further FAQ's" link on the menu bar on the left.

Will the wind farm be noisy?
Wind farms developed and operated by npower renewables adhere to strict noise limits detailed in local planning conditions, based on recommendations by the DTI Noise Working Group. We have undertaken noise monitoring at locations around the site and are confident the turbines will not be a nuisance to local residents. The best way to appreciate just how quiet wind turbines are is to visit an operational site.

Will the site disturb low flying aircraft?
No. The proposal has been reviewed and we have received no objection from the Ministry of Defence.

Don't wind farms reduce house prices?
A survey by Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre (ESPC), (2007) Conducted analysis of relative movements in residential property prices in areas surrounding Crystal Rig Wind Farm, near Dunbar over a seven year period from 2000-2006. The Crystal Rig study offers no evidence to support the theory that property prices are adversely affected by proximity to a wind farm. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that property prices in Dunbar may have been positively affected by the Crystal Rig development.

How big will the turbines be and how long is their lifespan?
The turbines at Ballindalloch Muir are likely to be up to 125metres blade to tip height. Although they could last longer, any planning permission would stipulate the turbines must be removed after 25 years so that the site can be restored to its current use. In effect we are only borrowing the landscape for what is a relatively short period of time.

Will local traffic be disturbed?
Any disturbance will be limited to the construction period, which should last around 12 months, after which only a small number of movements will be made to the site. npower renewables will work with Stirling Council and the Scottish Executive to develop a suitable plan to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.

Why is there uncertainty about the size of the site?
npower renewables has decided to consult the local community at a very early stage of development to ensure everyone has the opportunity to influence the scheme from the outset. As such it is unable to confirm the exact size of the site as more research and site studies need to be conducted to give npower renewables the information to determine the most appropriately sized wind farm for this location.

I wasn't invited to the focus group at Balfron High School on the 9th March but want to comment on the scheme - how do I do this?
npower renewables is aware that not everyone could attend the meeting on the 9th March. This initial focus group was conducted by Holyrood Consultations and attended by a randomly selected group of around 100 individuals. The event was designed to give a representative sample of the local community and if people who wished to attend had done so this would have skewed the results and representative nature of the results.

The focus group meeting on the 9th March was only one of numerous other opportunities npower renewables is generating to ensure everyone has an opportunity to influence the development. We will regularly be updating this web site, mailing newsletters to local households, sending out comment cards and questionnaires, attending public meetings, holding exhibitions, and investigating the option for e-consultation. We are also working with the media to spread the news on our activities and report back what is happening with the proposal. If you have any questions now you can click on the contacts page which has our postal, telephone and e-mail address on for you to reach us. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to get in touch.

What kind of land is the site on?
The site is located on a mixture of Peaty Gley - Gley is a bluish-grey compact sticky soil. The land is currently used for rough grazing and plantation forestry, of apparently limited conservation interest. Agricultural uses will continue if the wind farm is built. Where plantation forestry affects wind flow across the site it is likely to be removed, however npower renewables expect opportunities for native woodland and scrub planting and environmental improvements to habitat by grazing controls and encouragement of vegetation diversity will be proposed where the best opportunities exist.

What height is proposed for the towers plus rotors?
As the development is at an early stage the exact height has yet to be determined but will be up to about 125metres to the tip height.

Is it the case that each tower requires about 600 cubic metres of concrete for foundations? (12 towers need about 7,000 cubic metres?)
The turbine foundations will be around 16 metres in diameter and up to 3 metres deep, consisting of between 250 and 350 cubic metres of concrete. They will also be sulphate resistant to minimise attack by acids in the soil.

The newsletter says there is 'excellent road access'. What length of road will have to be permanently widened and straightened? What route will vehicles take during construction? What are the safety implications? The A811 is already very seriously overloaded; the A875 is unsuitable for heavy traffic.
Access to the site is initially thought to be via the A811 to the north of the site 1.5kilometres west of Buchlyvie. A limited number of abnormal escorted loads will be needed, and these will be timed with agreement with police. No road closures are likely. There may be some bend improvements and corner widening where needed, also relaying of road surface where vertical alignment might cause a risk of grounding. Studies will be needed to confirm these details and the Highways Agency will be consulted to confirm that this is an acceptable route.

What are the proposed arrangements for power transmission? Will there be lengthy new pylon lines and pole lines? Where?
All on site electrical conductors to the site substation will be laid underground. The electricity produced is likely to be transmitted, from the onsite sub-station, by a three phase type supply using 33kilovolt (kV) overhead wooden poles, as typically seen in many parts of the countryside. The route off site to the electrical transmission system is decided by the Distributed Network Operator (SSE), npower renewables will work with SSE to ensure best practicable environmental solution.

Is there an intention to make payments to neighbouring communities?
As recognition for a local community hosting a wind farm npower renewables make a meaningful and appropriate contribution to the local community at each of their operational wind farm sites, sharing in the success of that wind farm. The fund related to profitability and is likely to be in the regional of £2000/megawatt capacity of the site - at Ballindalloch Muir this would mean with a capacity of 15-25MW the community would receive between £30,000 and £50,000 each year for the life of the wind farm. It is aimed that this fund be managed through a group elected by members of the local community and npower renewables are happy to receive all suggestions on how best this be achieved.

What is the projected time scale of the development? How long for construction? What will be its probable useful life? Are the costs of dismantling and reparation built in to cost benefit analysis?
npower renewables expect to submit a planning application for the scheme late 2007 with a possible build start date during 2008. If the site is granted planning permission it will take 9-12 months to complete construction, after which the site will operate for 20-25 years. After this period the wind farm must be removed - the costs of which are set aside at the outset of construction - so even if npower renewables no longer exists there will be funds to remove the site at the end of its working life. If new turbines are to be erected after the site has been removed a new planning application must be submitted going through the same process we are now.

At what stage will be able to study the Environmental Scoping Report and then the full Environmental Statement?
The full Environmental Statement (or ES) forms part of the planning application and will therefore be made publicly available when the planning application is submitted and will be suitably advertised so everyone is aware of where they can access this information. Scoping is due to be started in the next month or two and can take up to six to eight months to complete.

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