COMMUNITY leaders in New Cumnock have urged East Ayrshire Council to give the go ahead to a wind farm scheme which would bring millions of pounds in direct investment to the area.

RWE Innogy UK has applied for planning permission to build seven turbines at Ashmark Hill to the south of New Cumnock. The application will be heard by the Council’s Planning Committee at a meeting on September 3.

The Ashmark Hill Wind Farm would bring an estimated £22 million of direct investment to East Ayrshire during its operational life time, including £2.6 million in community benefit to New Cumnock and the surrounding area and £2.7 million in spending in the community during the development’s construction phase.

Marie Walker, chair of New Cumnock Community Council which voted to support the application, said Ashmark Hill was a perfect example of a project which the community needed.

She said: “The community council voted to support Ashmark Hill because it’s a good way of bringing the kind of investment New Cumnock needs.

“We would urge the planning committee to join us in supporting New Cumnock through this project.” Jimmy Carmichael, chair of New Cumnock Environmental Regeneration Volunteers (NERV), said Ashmark Hill had an important role to play in the regeneration of the community.

Mr Carmichael, a former chair of New Cumnock Community Council, added: “We need investment to make the most of New Cumnock’s potential and proposals like Ashmark Hill are vital if we want to make progress.

“In days gone by this community used to prosper from the coal that was dug up from the ground. We can prosper again from the wind above us now.

“In speaking to people around the village I have yet to hear anyone raise concerns about Ashmark Hill. It’s a good development and I would urge the planning councillors to support New Cumnock and support this proposal.” Jenny Gascoigne, project developer for Ashmark Hill, said: “Ashmark Hill has the potential to bring several millions of pounds in direct investment to East Ayrshire.”