Councillors recommended to refuse Straiton windfarm – Carrick Gazette

By Ewan McQueen

South Ayrshire councillors have been asked to reject plans for a 17 turbine
windfarm near Straiton.

The Linfairn development by Willowind Energy is one that will be decided by
the Scottish Government but members are recommend to object to the
proposals at a meeting today (Wednesday).

The plans have been objected to by over 4,000 people, representing close to
two thirds of all the windfarm objections in Scotland in the last year.

Lala Burchall-Nolan, Chair of Save Straiton for Scotland said: “We are in
complete agreement with the recommendation and are grateful to planners for
that.

“There are developments which are appropriate but Linfairn is certainly not
one of them.

“This would have an overwhelming impact on the area’s lanscape and
completely devalue it.

“This is an area which is far too important not to try to protect in terms
of tourism which is so important to South Ayrshire.

“At times we have felt this is a David v Goliath battle with the
developer’s deep pockets against a community of 300 but we simply cannot
allow this.

“We just hope that the Scottish Government, in making the decision, listen
to the people that they are supposed to represent.” Suki Atwal, director of
Willowind Energy said: “We are understandably disappointed by the
recommendation of the South Ayrshire Council Planning Department, as we
believe that we have put forward a strong planning case.

“We do not feel that the councillors have been provided with a complete
report on Linfairn Wind Farm, given the absence of a fully documented
response from key statutory consultee, Scottish Natural Heritage.”

Willowind held an event at Ayrshire College on Tuesday outlining their
plans for community benefit.

It is envisaged 50%of the £272,000 per year from Linfairn would be spent on
education, employment and tourism with the other half on community projects
which would be presented to the North Carrick Community Benefit Company.

Members of the benefit company, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and the
college were in attendance in Ayr.