Residents in the Ewes Valley are fighting against plans that could see 45 wind turbines constructed | ByMarc McLeanLocal Democracy Reporter | Dumfries and Galloway Standard | 27 JAN 2022 | www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Dumfries and Galloway councillors this week unanimously agreed to lodge a formal objection with the Scottish Government to a huge windfarm development.
Council officers had numerous concerns about a bid to construct 45 wind turbines at the Faw Side site – 6.8km to the north of Langholm – and councillors are now in agreement.
Community Wind Power has submitted an application to the Scottish Government to create the windfarm on land that stretches across both Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Twenty-eight of the turbines would fall within land in the Annandale and Eskdale area, and it was heard at Wednesday’s planning committee that the community in the Ewes Valley are strongly opposed to the development.
Annandale East and Eskdale Councillor Archie Dryburgh said: “This area has the biggest majority of the wind turbines in this windfarm application, and constituents have lobbied me very well.
“Community Windfarm don’t do very well with community engagement.”
Councillor Dryburgh explained that several skilled people living within the community, including engineers and hydrologists, have in-depth knowledge about turbines and windfarms, and they insist that the environmental impact assessment is incorrect.
He said: “The responses I’ve had from local constituents have been really, really understanding of what the environmental impact assessment has been – and they challenge that frequently.
“I go along with what my constituents say. They are really concerned about this.”
With Scottish Borders Council having previously objected to the windfarm proposals too, a public inquiry will be held and government ministers will then decide whether or not to approve.