By Stuart Gillespie
Plans for a development near Carsphairn described as “ill-considered,
inconsiderate and entirely inappropriate” have been approved.
Windy Rig Wind Farm Ltd has been given permission to create a “layover”
area to the south of the village to help transfer material to the windfarm
site nearby.
Councillors approved the proposal at the planning applications committee on
Thursday, despite Dee and Glenkens Councillor Pauline Drysdale calling for
a site visit.
A report by case officer Andrew Robison revealed the proposed site near the
A713 would be used to help with the “construction, maintenance and
decommissioning” of Windy Rig Wind Farm. That would include the delivery of
turbine blades, which would then be transferred to a “blade adapter” to be
taken to the site.
Carsphairn Community Council blasted the proposals as “ill-considered,
inconsiderate and entirely inappropriate” and raised a string of concerns,
including flood risk, the effect on village life and the impact of noise
and lightning on houses nearby.
They added they had no objection to the laydown area in principle but felt
that the location was inappropriate.
Mr Robison pointed out that SEPA had not objected while the council’s flood
risk management team withdrew their objection after receiving further
information.
He believed any noise from vehicles “are unlikely to be significant” as the
road is already used for HGV traffic. Blades would be unloaded and loaded
in late afternoon and early evening, which would “limit concerns regarding
noise”.
Councillor Drysdale told the meeting she felt the proposal was “alarmingly
close to this small village and will therefore have an adverse affect on
the approach and its rural character”.
She added: “This village has already lost its pub, they’ve had floods in
the last three years, they’ve lost their school recently and they also
heavily rely on tourism, mainly walkers, their small shop and their
heritage centre to survive. It may be there are alternative routes and
other areas away from village.”
Her proposal for a site visit found backing from fellow members and a vote
led to a split decision.
Chairman John Campbell used his casting vote to reject the proposal.
A vote on whether to give the application the go ahead was also split with
Mr Campbell again using his vote to approve the plans.
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