Stuart McFarlane
Councillors have given the thumbs down to plans for a 30 turbine windfarm
near Sanquhar.
Members of the planning committee on Thursday voted by a majority to lodge
a formal objection to the development proposals from North Lowther Energy
Initiative.
The authority was consulted on a bid, by the partnership between Buccleuch
and Forsa Energy, which will be determined by Scottish ministers.
Council officers recommended members oppose the plans, saying that the
location and number of turbines represented a “visually dominant and
incongruous” development.
They cited government guidelines that planning permission should be refused
for developments which would have a “unacceptable impact on the natural
environment”.
Councillor David McKie voiced his opposition to the plans saying that
“enough is enough” over continued windfarm construction due to the
“horrendous” amount of turbines already present in the area.
That view was echoed by Councillor Jane Maitland, who “wasn’t persuaded”
that the proposed jobs brought by the development outweighed the concerns
over the impact on the environment.
However, the wind farm plans were backed by a group of supporters on the
committee including Councillor Archie Dryburgh who argued that the
“socioeconomic benefits” of the scheme were sufficient to outweigh concerns.
The initial plans for the site at the Lowther Hills near Wanlockhead would
have seen 35 turbines in place before community objections saw a revised
bid introduced involving a reduction in the number of turbines to 30.
According to the developers, the project would deliver an economic impact
of around £735,000 for local communities, as well as providing 33 full-time
equivalent jobs during the construction period.
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