ENERGY MINISTER REFUSES PLANNING FOR SANDY KNOWE WINDFARM

Impact on landscape deemed unacceptable.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has today refused planning consent for the proposed 30 turbine Sandy Knowe Wind Farm in the Dumfries and Galloway Council planning area.
The Energy Minister agreed with the findings of Scottish Natural Heritage who raised serious concerns over cumulative impact and adverse landscape and visual affect the wind farm would have in Upper Nithsdale, Dumfries and Galloway.
Mr Ewing said:
“Scotland has enormous potential for renewable energy that is delivering jobs and investment across Scotland, and I am determined to ensure communities all over Scotland reap the benefits from renewable energy. We need a balanced approach in taking forward this policy and have to consider what impact any development would have on the local area.
“That is why I have refused permission for the proposed Sandy Knowe wind farm, which would have had an unacceptable landscape and visual impact, in the Dumfries and Galloway area.
“The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right places, and Scottish Planning Policy is clear that the design and location of any wind farm should reflect the scale and character of the landscape and should be considered environmentally acceptable.”