Plans for an eight-turbine windfarm at Greenbank Farm, Kilncadzow, have
been turned down.
The Hill Rig Windfarm plans attracted 165 lettters of opposition, and now
cuncillors on South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee have rejected
Community Windpower’s application.
Councillors accepted that the wind farm would have an unacceptable impact
on people during their daily lives, and would lead to unacceptable noise
levels.
And given the “already extensive” wind farm developments nearby, and the
number of single turbines in the surrounding area, they agreed that the
site was unsuitable for a windfarm – there were fears of “turbine creep”.
Community Windpower had wanted to erect eight turbines, each with a blade
tip height of up to 130 metres, in a windfarm lasting 25 years.
The council’s own environmental services department had concerns about the
noise levels in the area, there were concerns about safeguarding Glasgow
airport, and an objection from the National Air Traffic Services, and a
consultative group called Countryside and Greenspace were concerned about
the visial impact, stating that the height of the turbine towers was
excessive and inappropriate to the site.
Carluke Community Council objected due to the scale of the windfarm and its
proximity to local residents and the noise impact on people and animals.
And it also pointed to the cumulative effect that “the area has reached
saturation point with the additional Black Law extension and Heathland wind
farms”. The Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council also objected as the
turbines would dominate the landscape.
In the general consultation eight letters of support were received – seven
from businesses outwith the area – and 165 objections were received, from
residents in Yieldshields, Carluke, Forth, Carnwath, Auchengray and
Tarbrax, as well as from further afield.
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