Inverclyde Windfarm

As well as renewable energy production, other work at the site is being carried out to improve the ecology and habitats in the area. A Habitat Management Plan has been devised and will be followed for the life of the wind farm. The work being undertaken includes quality improvement of the peatland and heath habitats, as well as enhancements for fauna, such as hen harriers and peregrines.  

The measures were implemented during construction will continue throughout the lifetime of the project. A Habitat Management steering group has been created to oversee the implementation of the plan. This includes a qualified ecological advisor, a representative from BayWa r.e., and the landowner. To ensure the work is successful, annual monitoring is being undertaken.

Methods to improve the quality of peatland and heath habitats include ditch blocking, which involves a combination of peat/turf dams and timber ‘leaky’ dams. These dams were installed during construction of the wind farm. A Grazing Management Plan has been agreed with the tenant farmer in order to encourage the regeneration of vegetation on the site. 

To improve conditions for hen harriers and peregrines, small pools were created on the north side of Corlick Hill. These pools will boost invertebrate populations, supporting more productive moorland wader populations and benefiting other moorland birds. In turn, this will create a more productive prey-base for raptors. BayWa r.e. also created small pockets of insect rich habitat that will improve the productivity of the area for prey species.

The site has been designed to maximise access for local residents via a new visitors carpark and a network of wind farm tracks. The tracks are available to walkers and a new footpath has been created to give local residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views from the top of Corlic Hill. The track and path network also provides a new link from Dougliehill Road in Port Glasgow onto the walking paths in Clyde Muirshiel Park creating new walking opportunities in the area.

Boards have been installed on the footpath close to the top of Corlic Hill providing information on the site’s history from the Romans to the Second World War. 

Turbines are generally 85% recyclable.

The majority of the Inverclyde turbine towers are made of recyclable steel and other metals.

At the end of their life, the turbine blades can either be reused in the second-hand market or decommissioned and recycled, with an aim to minimise the amount of waste going to landfill.

The Kidron Project equips individuals with practical, emotional, and spiritual support. They do this by providing services in the community to address poverty, social isolation, life skills deficits, lack of purpose or wellbeing. The grant paid for life coaching sessions for new members and partnership fees for several groups.

The Inverclyde Youth Theatre club used the grant to put on a production of ’Godspell‘, an impressive show that required each member to play on average 6 instruments. The grant contributed to venue hire, technical costs, and front of house staff payments.

Children in Poverty Inverclyde provide assistance for families in need. The grant paid for warm clothes and footwear for children through vouchers which were dispersed to local nurseries and items donated to HSCP personnel.

“The grant, enabling the purchase of much needed clothing was greatly welcomed and highly valued by recipients, who were hugely grateful for generous donations. Our charity’s reputation and goodwill were further enhanced with presence in the community where people see first-hand how our benefactors generosity is used.” 

Wellington Park Bowling Club, founded in 1853, used the grant to increase the clubs sustainability. They hired machinary and purchased materials to build a compost compount, which eventually will produce compost for flower, fruit and vegetable beds that the members maintain throughout the summer months.

The Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society have held an volunteer-run show almost every year since 1835. The event promotes community spirit and local agriculture, with around 400 participants from the local area. The grant went towards replacing old equiptment, such as cattle pens and gates.

Literati Guide to Inverclyde is an volunteer-run environmental group focused on making Inverclyde more sustainable. They used the grant to launched a Play a Clean Game campaign to encourage all sports teams to leave no trace on pitches, use own reusable water bottles, reduce single use containers, ensure events are plastic free as much as possible.

Lyle Gateway is a community drop-in café and garden.The grant paid for a Christmas day meal with music and gifts for 40 members of the local community who otherwise would have been isolated.

Man On! Inverclyde is a suicide prevention and wellbeing charity. They offer a range of individual and group services, free of charge. After the success of the adult football therapy sessions funded by the grant in 2021, they ran an additional block of sessions for a Winter Wellbeing League.

2nd Larkfield Rainbows is a guiding unit for girls aged 4 – 7. They provide a safe space for young girls to have fun, build friendships, and gain valuable life skills.They used the grant to help subsidise this year’s annual membership subscription for all of their members in light of the cost of living crisis.

BOUNCE Basketball Inverclyde provide grass roots basketball coaching for girls and boys in the 6-13yr old age group. The grant enabled them to run a series of Sunday sessions for 24 kids, purchase equiptment and hold an end of year awards.

“Without funding streams like this we would not be able to offer these sorts of opportunities at zero cost, and with the current financial climate, our aim is to make participation and involvement with our club as low cost as possible.”

Starter Packs Inverclyde provides packs of household items for people who have been homeless, moving into a tenancy, but lack the funds to purchase the basic of household items. The grant paid for 45 cleaning packs.

The 3rd Gourock Boys‘ Brigade is 114 years old, and provides activities aimed at allowing the children to grow, develop and learn in a safe space. They used the grant to purchase kilts and other associated pieces of uniform, necessary due to rise in numbers.

“We are most grateful to the Windfarm Fund and everybody in general who supported this appeal. It just shows what can be achieved if groups work as a team, come up with innovative ideas, set a target and drive for it.”