Its members unanimously agreed to instruct secretary Julian Hankinson to write a letter of objection opposing the planning application by Argyll Windfarms Ltd for 19 turbines on the Cowal hill, which faces both Rothesay and Port Bannatyne.

The community council's October meeting, held last Wednesday night in the Pavilion to allow interested members of the public to listen to the discussion, heard community councillor Bill McQueen explain that he had spent several hours reading the extremely bulky environmental statement, and had become more and more confused as he went.

Mr McQueen said: "I have tried to speak to a cross-section of the public to ensure that I represent all points of view, but I have not met anyone who thinks the proposal is a good idea."

A meteorologist by profession, Mr McQueen said his lengthy scientific background led him to believe wind farms are the least efficient method of generating electricity

"Once they are up they are there for 25 years," he said, "and in the meantime we may develop a more effective method of electricity generation. Inverkip chimney is an example of this."

Taking issue with the developer's estimation of the prevailing wind direction, Mr McQueen likened each blade's diameter to the wingspan of a Boeing 747 and said: "The study gives three levels of impact - slight, moderate and severe - and states that the impact on Rothesay and Port Bannatyne will be moderate.

"But I say one man's moderate is another man's severe."

Mr McQueen also cautioned members that compensation could be worth a lot of money and that this could influence "cash strapped councillors" to make a decision in favour of the application.

Speaking from the audience, Tony Harrison, chairman of Isle of Bute Marketing and Tourism, advised the community council: "Think carefully of the big picture - once this one is up it will open the floodgates."

Mr Hankinson explained that members had to decide on what to do for the good of the community rather than what their own personal opinions might be.

Every member of the community council and all 13 members in the audience agreed that BCC should write a short letter of objection.

(This story was first published in the October 27, 2006 issue of The Buteman.)