Community Engagement and Consultation
GreenPower is committed to an extensive public and stakeholder consultation process.
This consultation takes place through a range of mechanisms including public exhibitions, presentations, one on one meetings and via direct correspondence. GreenPower consults with the public, a variety of statutory and non-statutory consultees, the planning authorities and local community councils and considers the issues raised during the consultation process, at exhibitions and in letters we receive. We encourage people to engage in dialogue with us so that they can fully understand our proposals and equally we can fully understand their views and take account of these where feasible during the project design process. This is possible both before and after planning applications are submitted.
Please feel free to contact GreenPower about any of our projects.
Community Funds
GreenPower has a policy to support local communities located near our wind farm projects through the provision of community funds. GreenPower is committed to consulting on the details of how these community funds should be managed and how the money should be allocated.
We recognise that establishing a system of decision making for community funds may present challenges. We are keen for communities to manage these funds themselves as much as possible and for decision-making on spending to remain in local hands.
At Drumduff Wind Farm near Blackridge in West Lothian we are allocating funds to support Community Projects that will have long term benefits to the Community. One such infrastructure project to improve access from Blackridge into the local countryside is the extension of the boardwalk at Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve. We have also supported a range of smaller good causes e.g. warm hub events, funding to the local primary school for food vouchers and support towards installing defibrillators in the local area.
GreenPower has established the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Fund which is managed by a Steering Group comprised of local representatives. This group guides the strategic use of the funds and makes decisions on specific funding applications. Further information on the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Fund can be found here.
Testimonials from beneficiaries of the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Fund:
The Avant Gardeners
Received £11,071 for provision of polytunnel, topsoil and mobile chipper and shredder.
Chrissie Sugden, member of The Avant Gardeners said:
“Carraig Gheal Windfarm Community Benefit Fund has made an enormous difference to the Community Garden in Dalavich right from the start. The fund enabled us to buy the land for the garden that we had previously rented, paid for a tool shed, funded trees for a small orchard and recently enabled us to buy a polytunnel plus topsoil to extend the growing season which encouraged more members to join us. As well as the practical difference of having somewhere to grow fresh food and herbs, I have heard people say how much they enjoy having a space within walking distance of the village that is also a separate and beautiful little world to escape to for ‘time out’. We are very grateful to GreenPower for all their help and support.”
North Argyll Volunteer Car Scheme (NAVCS)
Awarded £9,717 towards costs of maintaining essential rural transport service for locals who are unable to use public transport to access essential services and social events.
Christine Wills, Management Committee Chair of NAVCS said:
“As a small local charity providing community transport we depend on funding from the local council, passengers and small local donors, and larger donors like GreenPower’s Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. It is so encouraging for us to deal with the GreenPower Support Officer, and to feel that both she and the Carrraig Gheal Steering Group understand what we do. The funding we have received has been a key factor in our financial security, enabling us to maintain a service for vulnerable people in our scattered rural communities.”
