A NATIONAL group fighting to halt further wind farms says the scale of development around New Cumnock is incomparable to anywhere else in Scotland.
Scotland Against Spin has been campaigning for more than a decade for the reform of the Scottish Government’s wind energy policy.
The group keeps an eye on wind farm developments appearing across the country and liaises with local campaign groups to provide support.
The number of operational, progressing and embryonic developments in the southern part of East Ayrshire, and particularly around the New Cumnock and Doon Valley area, is something that has caught the group’s attention.
Scotland Against Spin has been campaigning for more than a decade for the reform of the Scottish Government’s wind energy policy.
The group keeps an eye on wind farm developments appearing across the country and liaises with local campaign groups to provide support.
The number of operational, progressing and embryonic developments in the southern part of East Ayrshire, and particularly around the New Cumnock and Doon Valley area, is something that has caught the group’s attention.
Aileen Jackson from Scotland Against Spin told the Chronicle: “There is nothing like this in Scotland.
“It’s a standing joke in our Facebook group whenever a new application comes up because there’s just about no place left to put them.
Having seen how the “divisive” topic of wind farm developments can split a community down the middle, Aileen is hoping that this won’t be something New Cumnock faces.
“The issue is so divisive and it’s a shame to see what it can do to a tight-knit area,” Aileen added.
“There has to be a balance with the community benefit with what you’re losing for example in terms of residential amenity, landscape and wildlife and it can split up a community between those that want the benefit and those that don’t.
“A lot of talk is about how these developments will create local jobs, but does it really?
“Most of the work will be temporary while the development is created, so it’s really a short-term fix to a long-term problem.”
She added: “People feel like the objections are being ignored by the Scottish Government and apathy creeps in, that’s why we need more to be done by the government to help.
“They are the people in charge and they need to make it clear for the people of New Cumnock what the cut-off point would be, because it’s a huge issue that’s getting overlooked.
“That’s why we’ve put our name to a letter, along with the New Cumnock wind farms group, calling on an immediate moratorium on further wind farm developments.
“Over 40 groups have signed up to that, but it’s giving attention to the issues suffered by people in the rural areas.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We understand and appreciate the concerns raised by the groups who have signed the letter. Ministers certainly agree that Scotland’s energy should benefit people in Scotland first and foremost.
“We also share many of the concerns expressed about UK policies which are not designed to benefit local communities nor Scotland as a whole.
“In relation to a moratorium, it is not clear that Scottish Ministers would have the necessary legal powers even if such a decision were considered appropriate.” https://www.cumnockchronicle.com/news/25231053.scotland-spin-fear-new-cumnock-wind-farms/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLTv6JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmAq-dhVGLMyYGQXmqXGwolDzdwHfvcNCoKpX9Ob9Bo1udu9khy70hkCltc4_aem_2iMfSHXFQXtIg8hNq34LwA
“It’s a standing joke in our Facebook group whenever a new application comes up because there’s just about no place left to put them.
Having seen how the “divisive” topic of wind farm developments can split a community down the middle, Aileen is hoping that this won’t be something New Cumnock faces.
“The issue is so divisive and it’s a shame to see what it can do to a tight-knit area,” Aileen added.
“There has to be a balance with the community benefit with what you’re losing for example in terms of residential amenity, landscape and wildlife and it can split up a community between those that want the benefit and those that don’t.
“A lot of talk is about how these developments will create local jobs, but does it really?
“Most of the work will be temporary while the development is created, so it’s really a short-term fix to a long-term problem.”
She added: “People feel like the objections are being ignored by the Scottish Government and apathy creeps in, that’s why we need more to be done by the government to help.
“They are the people in charge and they need to make it clear for the people of New Cumnock what the cut-off point would be, because it’s a huge issue that’s getting overlooked.
“That’s why we’ve put our name to a letter, along with the New Cumnock wind farms group, calling on an immediate moratorium on further wind farm developments.
“Over 40 groups have signed up to that, but it’s giving attention to the issues suffered by people in the rural areas.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We understand and appreciate the concerns raised by the groups who have signed the letter. Ministers certainly agree that Scotland’s energy should benefit people in Scotland first and foremost.
“We also share many of the concerns expressed about UK policies which are not designed to benefit local communities nor Scotland as a whole.
“In relation to a moratorium, it is not clear that Scottish Ministers would have the necessary legal powers even if such a decision were considered appropriate.” https://www.cumnockchronicle.com/news/25231053.scotland-spin-fear-new-cumnock-wind-farms/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLTv6JleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmAq-dhVGLMyYGQXmqXGwolDzdwHfvcNCoKpX9Ob9Bo1udu9khy70hkCltc4_aem_2iMfSHXFQXtIg8hNq34LwA
1 Comment
Greta · July 3, 2025 at 10:54 pm
Perhaps ask MPs @ specifically MSPs to list local benefits ?
Renewal Energy Fund— essentially sweeteners to keep the locals quiet….. Old fashioned term was Bribes for Silence.
Once described as ‘giving beads to the natives’ at a Public inquiry into open cast mining in the Cumnock @ Doon Valley area.