NEW Cummock Community Council (NCCC) are ready to do battle against the latest windfarm proposals for the area at Pencloe.

Part of their objection is illustrated by the creation of the map, shown right, which shows the number of developments which are almost surrounding the community.

It was compiled by resident Jerry Mulders who said: “As New Cumnock has, and continues to contribute its part to the provision of electicity for the nation, we feel that the time to limit further developments has been reached.

“Natural tourism has been identified by East Ayrshire Council (EAC)as the growth area that will lead to sustainable regeneration.

“Therefore, it is felt that New Cumnock is well overdue environmental justice and to allow the community to recover sustainably and to thrive.

“We do not wish to see the total degradation by wholesale industrialisation of our immediate surroundings and want to ensure we do not allow complete despoilment of our best natural asset — its internationally renowned scenic landscape.”

A public inquiry on the Pencloe project started this week at New Cumnock town hall after which the Scottish Government will make a final decision.

The proposal is for 19 turbines on the site, around two miles south of New Cumnock, for which a hearing was held by EAC’s planning committee last October.

A spokesman for NCCC says that this will bring the total number of proposed turbines in the area to 102 — Pencloe and Enoch Hill: both 19, South Kyle: 30, Ashmark: 7 and Afton: 27.

He added: “The visual impact of these five developments, should they all get permission and be built, will be unacceptable.

“The addition of the Lethams development, which has moved from planning to consented category, will have the effect of the whole village being surrounded by wind turbines.”