A Banks Renewables community wind farm project near Twynholm, in Dumfries and Galloway, has been amended following useful detailed feedback from a range of consultees.
A key feature of the amended design will be a reduction in the proposed turbine heights from 132m to 115m while the seventh turbine would be reduced from 132m to 100m.
A second key amendment, in line with feedback from key people, will be that the position of the turbines will be altered so that they sit further to the east of the site; further away from the National Scenic Area. The changes will mean that the output from the proposed wind farm, will decrease from 23.8MW to14MW.
Hamilton based Banks Renewables will resubmit plans in the coming weeks to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Richard Davis, a father of three from nearby Gatehouse of Fleet believes the project is vital for a low-income community which has struggled to fund local clubs and ventures in the past.
Richard, said: “Finite resources are by their very name destined to run out and we need to look to alternatives to keep fuel bills manageable. There are a lot of options out there but wind energy is really helping – and we all have a responsibility to get behind it, not just for ourselves but for future generations.”
“Simply put, we need to look to the future – and do everything we can to encourage responsible investment and jobs into Dumfries and Galloway.”
Due to strong support and interest locally, Knockendurrick Community Wind Farm is offering the local community the opportunity to buy up to 10 per cent equity in the project, an increase from the original five per cent included as part of the planning application.
Banks Renewables is in discussions with Dumfries and Galloway Council; local colleges and businesses to agree how best to deliver a targeted employment and training initiative. The local community’s share of wind farm revenues could also be invested to provide vital community infrastructure, delivery of major environmental projects and direct funding into community groups. At a time of public sector cuts such new funding pots are being welcomed by local voluntary and community organisations.
Colin Anderson, development director at Banks Renewables, said: “A wind farm application such as the one at Knockendurrick is very much an ongoing process.’’
“As always, as part of our development with care approach, we’ve listened to local people and statutory consultees and I believe we have come up with a more balanced proposal that importantly gives the communities the chance to secure an even greater stake in the project.’’
“Knockendurrick Community Wind Farm remains a unique project that can deliver a wide range of benefits for communities and businesses in the local area.”
Along with the submission of the redesigned project, Banks will launch a Tourism Action Plan which would be supported by funding from Knockendurrick Community Wind Farm.
The Action Plan will include a project to protect and enhance an historic section of a drovers’ road, close to its Knockendurrick site, as well as the improvement of a popular local trail and funding to support an important organisation to promote tourism to across Dumfries and Galloway.
To register your support for the proposed Knockendurrick Community Wind Farm, an important project which will bring environmental benefits in the form of clean, green energy and economic benefits to the Dumfries and Galloway area in the form of investment and jobs please visit http://www.banksgroup.co.uk/knockendurrick/support-this-project/.
Banks Renewables is part of the Banks Group (www.banksgroup.co.uk), a family firm founded in 1976, which now employs more than 400 people in the renewable energy, property and mining sectors.
