Stuart Gillespie
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.”
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