MEMBERS of the community will have an opportunity to work with wind farm developers Banks Renewables to shape plans for its Lethans Extension wind farm near New Cumnock.

Two consultations for Lethans Wind Farm Extension, less than 10km north-east of New Cumnock, will take place online to ensure communities can have their say in the design of the wind farm and to agree priorities for how the proposed wind farm community fund would support local community projects.

The online consultations will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, June 2 and Thursday 3 and will be accessible by registering attendance at: www.banksgroup.co.uk/projects/renewables/lethans-extension/

The 11-turbine wind farm extension has the potential to create and support local jobs, work with local firms, and deliver a community benefit fund of over £9million over its lifespan – while displacing more than 30,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager at Banks Renewables, said: “Our development with care approach means we actively seek the opinions and feedback of local people and try to work with them to shape the project to ensure it delivers the maximum possible benefits to local people.

“Both Lethans and Lethans Extension will create a positive and long-lasting legacy for East Ayrshire, creating jobs and infrastructure improvements which will benefit the local communities for decades to come.

“We’re keen to hear the views of the local communities so we can establish the best way to work together to benefit East Ayrshire in the long term, while bringing Scotland’s Net Zero ambitions closer to reality.”

Banks’ Lethans Wind Farm was given the green light ahead in October 2020, after plans were revised to maximise the supply of green electricity.