New 11-turbine windfarm planned
Credit: The Galloway Gazette, www.gallowaygazette.co.uk 2 September 2010 ~~
Renewable energy developers RES this week announced plans for an 11-turbine windfarm between New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce.
The developers say the wind farm would provide “enough clean, green electricity equivalent to the average demand of over 14,000 homes” and they are suggesting donating £50,000 annually to the three villages for the benefit of their communities.
The are hoping to submit a planning application in the autumn after consultation with the communities involved.
A spokesperson for the company added: “Everyone is welcome to come along to find out more about the proposals. RES will present the findings of the environmental studies undertaken, and the project team will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the proposal in more detail”.
RES is considering ways in which the wind farm can bring direct and tangible economic benefits to the local community, and is proposing an annual community fund of around £50,000 per year (to be distributed in those communities immediately around the wind farm site), as well as the obvious environmental advantages through the generation of pollution-free electricity. There will also be opportunities for local contractors during the construction period as RES has a policy of sourcing goods and services locally to wind farm sites wherever practicable. Other suggestions for local community benefits which arise during the consultation period will be considered.
Heather Donald, Project Manager, commented; “We hope to submit a planning application in the early autumn and are going to start a consultation process with the local community to present our current plans. This process will enable the community to provide comments and feedback on our proposal.”
A newsletter is being circulated to local people containing full details of the project, and further information will be available on the project website (www.glenchamber-windfarm.co.uk).
Public consultation exhibitions about the project will be held at St Cowans Hall in Kirkcowan from 3pm to 8pm on Thursday, September 2, in New Luce Memorial Hall from 10am – 3pm on Friday, September 3 and Glenluce Hall from 11am – 5pm on Saturday, September 4.
