Monsters or majesties: How place attachment shapes public perceptions of near-shore windfarms in Denmark

In this paper we use place-attachment theory to explore characteristics of public perceptions of the potential near-shore wind-farm sites among the key identifiable project stakeholder groups, Permanent Residents, PR?s, and Second Home Owners, SHO?s. We found that 1) levels of potential wind-farm acceptance are higher among PR?s than among SHO?s, 2) that active use of the coast among both stakeholder groups is negatively correlated with levels of project acceptance ? just as 3) fears of negative local project impact on different themes matter. 4) Age and gender are not significant for levels of project acceptance. The enlightening Person, psychological Process and Place-attachment framework of place-attachment developed by Scannell & Gifford in 2010 provided our theoretical point of departure. Data-insights inspired ? and required ? additional dimensions of time, temporality and futures to the framework. We suggested that PR?s more positive project perceptions could mirror their hopes for project gains; positive area change and future area potentiality given via the potential local wind-farm projects. The more negative project expectations from SHO?s may reflect their wishes for area status quo. Overall we suggested that personal needs from, experienced landscape uses and characteristics projected onto landscapes by the very beings experiencing them influence potential local wind-farm project acceptance; that practicalities of everyday fears, hopes and dreams shape perceptions of local area change caused by the development of large-scale construction projects. In other words: What lies within individual experiences of place-attachment matters for levels of potential wind-farm acceptance and local area change in our modern, mobile lives.