July 24, 2014
Scotland

Tralorg Windfarm to benefit Carrick communities

Carrick Gazette | 24 July 2014 | www.carricktoday.co.uk

Communities across Carrick are set to reap the benefits from the Tralorg Wind farm.

And the new Girvan pool is set to be one of the projects to benefit from the revenue gained from the eight turbine site near Girvan.

A deal has been struck between developers PNE Wind UK and community councils across the area that will see six community councils share a benefit package of £5,000 per megawatt each year.

The announcement comes after over three years of talks between community councils and the developers.

The revenue is going to be split based upon the population size and then the community councils can spend the money as they wish to.

Girvan and District will see 70% of the fund, with Dailly and Kirkoswald,Maidens and Turnberry community councils getting 10%.

Barr Community Council alongwith Colmonell and Lendalfoot will see 3.5% of the fund whilst Pinmore and Pinwherry will get 3%.

And it has been decided that the money received by Girvan and District Community Council will be used to help with the revenue costs of the new Girvan and South Carrick leisure facility when it is up and running in September 2016.

Gilbert Stevenson, Development Operations Manager for PNE Wind said: “We always seek to agree, with the host communities, the delivery, management and distribution of the wind farm community benefit fund.

“In 2011 we established the Tralorg Wind Farm Community Liaison Group with the six neighbouring community councils and we are very grateful for the way in which they have represented their communities over the past three years.

“In the spring we met with the community council representatives to agree the framework for the community benefit fund.

“Two options were considered and after consultation with their community councils the local representatives agreed that our benefits package of £5,000 per MW, per annum will be divided between the six community council areas based on population.

“PNE WIND is delighted that the Tralorg Wind Farm community benefit fund will be used in part to support the exciting new South Carrick Leisure Centre, which is an important new community facility which will be enjoyed by local people and will be a major attraction for visitors to the area.

The Tralorg Wind Farm was given the go ahead by the Scottish Government in February this year after an appeal by PNE Wind was successful.

The application was initially turned down by South Ayrshire Council’s planning committee in March 2013.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/24/tralorg-windfarm-to-benefit-carrick-communities/