Press Association
Ministers have refused planning consent for a wind farm in Dumfries and
Galloway that would have an “unacceptable” impact on the landscape.
Sandy Knowe Wind Farm limited had applied for permission to build 30
turbines with a capacity of up to 90mw to the south-west of Kirkconnel and
Kelloholm.
Scottish Natural Heritage had raised serious concerns about the cumulative
impact the development would have on the landscape and views in the Upper
Nithsdale area.
A letter setting out the decision said: “This effect would mean the
development would represent a tipping point with respect to landscape
character, leading to the area becoming a wind farm landscape.
“Ministers have considered the economic and renewable energy benefits of
the development and, although they consider these to be significant, they
have concluded that they are not of a scale that outweighs the substantive
environmental impacts.”
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland has enormous potential for
renewable energy that is delivering jobs and investment across Scotland,
and I am determined to ensure communities all over Scotland reap the
benefits from renewable energy.
“We need a balanced approach in taking forward this policy and have to
consider what impact any development would have on the local area.
“That is why I have refused permission for the proposed Sandy Knowe Wind
Farm, which would have had an unacceptable landscape and visual impact, in
the Dumfries and Galloway area.
“The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right
places, and Scottish planning policy is clear that the design and location
of any wind farm should reflect the scale and character of the landscape
and should be considered environmentally acceptable.”
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