October 10, 2013
Scotland

Knockendurrick windfarm plans lodged

Oct 10 2013 by Stuart Gillespie, Galloway News | www.dgstandard.co.uk

Plans for a new windfarm near Twynholm have taken a step forward.

Hamilton-based Banks Renewables want to build seven turbines at Knockendurrick and are offering the local community the chance to buy a small chunk of the project.

And last week they formally submitted their planning application to the council.

The firm’s development director, Colin Anderson, said: “We have made a very deliberate effort over the last year or so to involve local people in the development process, as it is only through working positively together that all aspects of such a complex development proposal can be fully understood.

“During this time we have appreciated the willingness of many local people who have participated and now believe we’ve reached a really good conclusion to this stage of the process with the submission of the application.”

The firm claims that if the 23.8MW scheme is approved the local economy would be boosted by at least £4.8 million during construction, while a number of jobs will also be created.

And they are aiming to put around £260,000 a year into local projects – a figure that could grow if nearby communities take up the chance to buy a five per cent stake in the scheme.

But not everyone is convinced. Keith Mycock of local pressure group Turbine Watch 312 said: “The area around Gatehouse of Fleet, Twynhom, Kirkcudbright, Dundrennan and Auchencairn is a relatively small land area within which are situated two National Scenic Areas, one Regional Scenic Area and two Conservation areas.

“When these protected zones were first established the idea of gigantic wind turbines wasn’t even conceived as a possibility.

“The scenic areas are small and turbines of the height being proposed will compromise the integrity and undermine the economic, social and environmental value of the designations as well as being visible over great swathes of surrounding countryside.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/10/knockendurrick-windfarm-plans-lodged/