Plans have been lodged with East Ayrshire Council for a new wind farm to the east of Cumnock - with turbines more than 200 metres tall.

Green Cat Renewables (GCR) has submitted the plans for the new Drum Wind Farm site, just south of Lugar and Cronberry.

The firm's application has already attracted an objection from air traffic control officials - though it has also been backed by the local community council.

GCR previously had plans for a development of five wind turbines near Sorn rejected in 2020.

Locals were unhappy about the company's 'lack of communication' over those proposals - which were later refused planning permission by EAC.

A design statement from GCR, which is seeking permission for eight new turbines, says that the site would be accessed via the A70 via an existing access track that will be upgraded where required.

Cumnock Chronicle: Proposed site for the plans.Proposed site for the plans. (Image: Green Cat Renewables.)

The statement adds: "The proposed development will consist of eight, three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbines measuring up to 220 metres to tip height.

"Having confirmed the potential for the site to accommodate a wind farm, the next stage of the process is to identify all of the potential constraints associated with the site, to allow the development of an environmentally acceptable and technically feasible layout.

"There are several features surrounding the site that require appropriate separation distance requirements, namely the neighbouring coal mine; the edge of the land holding; the residential properties in proximity to the site; and the on-site water features."

While the Sorn application three years ago sparked opposition from the community, the company's new proposals have received local backing from Cronberry, Logan and Lugar Community Council (CLLCC).

In a consultation response submitted to council planners, CLLCC chair Tony Esquierdo said: "Please be advised at a meeting of Cronberry Logan & Lugar Community Council it was unanimously stated to give their support in principle for the Drum Wind Farm development and its subsequent allocation of community benefit for the 9CC geographical area.

"Cronberry Logan and Lugar CC reserve the right to make further comment on the above."

However, National Air Traffic Services (NATS) has lodged an objection to the application, stating that the development is "likely to cause false primary plots to be generated" from the Lowther Hill radar station.

A technical assessment of the proposals by NATS officials says that the Prestwick air traffic control centre believes the plans to be "unacceptable".

The 9CC Group, comprising the community councils of New Cumnock, Dalmellington, Auchinleck, Cumnock, Netherthird, Cronberry Lugar & Logan (CLL), Patna, Ochiltree & Skares, and Drongan, Rankinston & Stair (DRS), was established in late 2019.

The aim is to ensure fair distribution of community benefits funds from wind farm projects in the area.

The expiry date to have your say on the plans is Sunday, April 9.

You can view the full plans on the East Ayrshire Council planning portal.