April 12, 2012
Scotland

Kilgallioch Forest wind farm council objection advised

BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 12 April 2012

Councillors in Dumfries and Galloway are being advised to object to plans for a 99-turbine wind farm development in Wigtownshire.

Scottish Power Renewables has reduced its plans for Kilgallioch Forest near New Luce from 132 turbines.

The company made the move in response to feedback received during the consultation process.

However, planning officers in Dumfries and Galloway have recommended the authority oppose the bid as it stands.

The project site sits on the border between Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire.

Initial plans were submitted two years ago and, at the time, it would have been one of the largest wind farms in Scotland.

The company has now removed 33 turbines from the original submission.

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning committee will discuss the project later this week.

The application has been made direct to the Scottish government due to the scale of the plans but the local authority is a consultee.

Planning officers are recommending the council objects to the scheme in its current form.

However, they say that objection should be lifted if certain modifications are made to the scheme and planning conditions met.

They include the removal of some turbines and a reduction in the size of others.