Fly fishing enthusiasts at Kype Angling Club have been told their concerns about shadow flicker, noise and vibration and possible water pollution are extremely unlikely after one of Scotland’s leading independent fish scientists, Richard McMullan, was called in by developer, Banks Renewables, to review the concerns raised.
Banks Renewables report that: He has produced a detailed report, which suggests the wind farm would have no significant adverse effect on the populations of stocked brown trout Salmo trutta and other trout species, or the angling amenity in Kype Reservoir, South Lanarkshire.
Richard, Director/Principal Scientist of Motherwell-based Eco-Fish Consultants Ltd, said:
“I have devoted my professional life to protecting Scotland’s fish stocks and helping them to flourish.
Having reviewed this situation in detail, I am confident the proposed wind farm at Kype Muir, would have no adverse effect on the health and numbers of the stocked fish in Kype Reservoir or the native species in the tributaries that adjoin the reservoir.
Nor is there any other evidence to suggest that members of the club will not be able to carry on enjoying their pastime, as they have for the past 20 years.”
Founded in 1983 the club boasted 200 members at its peak, though membership has now dwindled to just 50. The small group opposed plans for the 26 turbine wind farm fearing that flickering shadows from the 132m tall turbines would scare fish to deeper water, where they would be more difficult to catch. However Mr McMullan insisted that the turbines would be far enough away from the reservoir to have no impact.
He also dismissed fears that noise and vibration – either during the construction phase or during the 25 years life of the turbines – would have any impact on fish adding:
“Any potential alteration in fish behaviour from noise and vibration is considered to be highly unlikely.”
Phil Dyke, development director at Hamilton-based Banks Renewables said the company had commissioned the independent report because it was keen to win the trust and backing of the anglers. He commented:
“Our development with care philosophy is fundamental to everything we do. If our project is approved, the wind farm will be here for more than 25 years and we want to be part of the fabric of the local community and for local people to see long-term benefits from our developments.
The angling club will be one of our closest neighbours and while we understand their concerns, we hope this report, by one of Scotland’s leading independent experts, will allay their concerns and allow us to move forward positively.
We have worked in close proximity to waters fished by angling clubs next to numerous Banks developments around the UK and are confident that this will be the case at Kype Muir.”
