Wind Farm application to be denied
Written by author on May 20, 2016
OFFICIALS are recommending to Councillors that plans for a five wind turbine development at land to the east of Blackwood Hill, Auldgirth, should be turned down.
Permission being sought for the 120 metre high turbines by Force 9 Energy is being fiercely opposed by local groups and individuals with 88 individual objectors.
A report going before Councillors next week says that Dumfries and Galloway Landscape Planning policy states: “The quality of
landscape is one of Dumfries and Galloway’s major assets, providing an attractive environment for both residents and visitors.”
This proposal destroys this asset for a large number of residents and visitors. There is no evidence of need for this wind farm as
Dumfries and Galloway has already contributed considerably to the renewable targets set by the Scottish Government with existing and already approved.
The Councillors are being recommended to refuse on the grounds that the proposal would introduce large scale wind farm development in to the sensitive Ae Fringe unit of the Upland Fringe Landscape Character Type where it would have a significant adverse impact on the scale and character of the landscape, its setting and the wider environment.
Officials also say that the proposed wind farm would have significant adverse effects on the sensitive skyline in views from the A76(T), a key tourist route, the settlements of Closeburn and Thornhill, designed landscapes and historic gardens, and local roads, footpaths and residential properties in lower and mid Nithsdale.
