Giant’s Burn Wind Farm – A Giant What-iF?

Giant’s Burn Wind Farm: A Giant What iF?

Giant’s Burn Wind Farm is a proposed wind farm development that would be located approximately 2.1km to the north-west of Dunoon and 1.5km south-west of Sandbank on the Cowal Peninsula.
The What iF Collective* is an early stage, objective working group of local organisations concerned about the best outcome for the Cowal community, should this project progress.

This event is

• aimed at representatives of local third sector organisations (i.e. charities, social enterprises, not-for-profits, youth/sports groups, cultural organisations) interested in the sector relevant “what-if” questions around this potential development

• focussed on a shared understanding of potential Community Benefit Funds, Shared Ownership and local investment.

This event is not

• for debating opinion on whether the proposed Wind Farm should be built; that conversation and decision-making process exists elsewhere.

This event will:

• present information around the potential community finance offer should the Giant’s Burn wind farm proceed as per the scoping proposal.

• present information from national/local organisations around their experience of supporting communities with similar projects.

• provide an opportunity to ask questions of the presenting organisations.

• invite an ongoing open conversation regarding a potential way forward; i.e. considering an outcome whereby the wind farm goes ahead. How could a local working What iF Collective prepare / lay foundations that would put the community in the driving seat, ready to broker the best deal for the area through initiatives such as a community benefit fund and shared ownership?

• provide an opportunity for more organisations to join the What iF Collective or to sign up to be kept informed of future events, depending on the development of the wind farm and/or other similar local energy initiatives.

There are two opportunities to attend this event, which will be replicated at 3.30pm and 5.30pm. Each instance of the event will last a maximum of 90 minutes.

*BACKGROUND:

The What iF Collective as it stands has been self-forming, with Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (ABTSI) invited in order to objectively facilitate the development of the conversation further – and ensure the representation of the third sector, i.e. charities, social enterprises, not-for-profits, youth/sports groups, cultural organisations.

The collective currently has representatives from:

• Dunoon Community Development Trust (Charity supporting local people to activate change in Dunoon.)

• South Cowal Community Council (Local Community Council representing all villages/clachans from Bullwood to Inverchaolain.)

• Benmore and Kilmun Community Development Trust (Charity representing Blairmore, Strone, Kilmun, Glen Massan, Clachaig, Rashfield.)

• Toward Seasports Club (A south Cowal volunteer-led sports club / charity.)

• Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (ABTSI)(Working Argyll and Bute wide, the TSI supports sustainability, development and collaborative practice across the region’s third sector; i.e. charitable, voluntary and community organisations.)

Also invited to attend:

• Foundation Scotland: a national organisation that works alongside communities to ensure that local funds are distributed by and to communities themselves.

• Local Energy Scotland: a national organisation managing the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme, also known as CARES.

VENUE INFORMATION:
The Queen’s Hall in Dunoon has limited parking, including a few disabled parking spaces.
There is a drop off point on Argyll Street at the main door and this meeting takes place on street level. Enter the building and turn right to find the meeting room.
There are toilet facilities.
The building has a lift if access to other areas are required.
Additional parking is available opposite the Queen’s Hall on the Coal Pier.
Free parking is located at the far end of the Coal Pier carpark, i.e. the end closest to the old wooden pier / directly opposite the Queen’s Hall’s main entrance.
There are E-Vehicle charging points located on the Coal Pier carpark.
There are bike parking facilities outside the main entrance of the Queen’s Hall and bus stops located nearby on Argyll Street and at the Calmac Passenger Ferry Terminal.