A PROPOSAL for a wind farm near New Cumnock is set to go before councillors this week.

Plans for the Garleffan wind farm are due to be heard at a meeting of East Ayrshire Council's (EAC) planning committee on Friday.

The site is located north of New Cumnock on land that formed part of the Garleffan and Grievehill Surface Coal Mines and agricultural land at Avisyard Hill.

The application proposes six wind turbines up to 135 metres high. The application says that there will be an eight month construction period with a 25 year operational period and an unspecified decommissioning and restoration period.

Whilst the description remains as up to nine turbines, the actual proposal under consideration is for six turbines and associated infrastructure.

Renewables developer, Peel Energy has made a proposal to EAC to offer a 'double boost' to the local communities in and around New Cumnock.

The firm has support from some of the local community who wrote into the council from towns and villages across New Cumnock, Logan, Cumnock, Lugar, Craigens, Netherthird, and Cronberry, to put £1.5 million up front into the site restoration of the Grievehill Surface Coal Mine as part of its plans in building the Garleffan Wind Farm.

The company also claims that there will be new employment opportunities for the area.

The company has also offered the local community an opportunity to invest in part ownership of the wind farm.

However, EAC Head of planning and Economic Development, Michael Keane has advised councillors to refuse permission ahead of Friday's meeting.

Whilst several local businesses have given their support to the project, New Cumnock Community Council, Cronberry, Logan and Lugar Community Council, Cumnock Community Council, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the National Air Traffic Services and Prestwick Airport have all objected to the proposal.

EAC has received twelve letters of objection and twelve letters of support for the proposals including from Netherthird Community Council and Nith District Salmon Fisheries Board.

See next week's edition of the Cumnock Chronicle for more.