PLANS for a wind farm and battery storage facility near New Cumnock have been given the green light - unlocking up to £12 million in potential community funding.

Scottish ministers have granted permission to REG Greenburn Limited to construct and operate the Greenburn Wind Park.

Consent, given under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, was confirmed at the end of April.

Located approximately 4.5 km to the west of New Cumnock, the wind park will comprise 16 turbines with a capacity of 67.2MW, maxiumum tip heights of 149.9 metres, and a battery storage facility capable of holding 10MW.

The will have a generating capacity in excess of 50MW.

Cumnock Chronicle: Potential view of the turbines from Cumnock's Bute Road.Potential view of the turbines from Cumnock's Bute Road. (Image: REG Greenburn Limited)

East Ayrshire councillors decided not to object the plans back in September 2020, before it was then passed to Scottish Ministers for a decision.

The application was first lodged more than three years ago, following an 18-month long public consultation with local people, community organisations and businesses.

REG Greenburn say they are committed to paying £5,000 per megawatt of installed capacity into a community benefit fund.

Based on the information provided on the capacity of the development, this could mean up to £336,000 a year, or £11.8m over the 35-year lifetime of the wind farm, to be divided among the communities living within 10km of the site.

It is hoped that the funding will help support a variety of long-lasting initiatives and good causes including apprenticeships and training, local regeneration, open space improvements and support for local clubs and groups.

Melvyn McKeown, REG's project manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone who helped us achieve this consent and we now look forward to working with local people on the next, exciting phase of this project to ensure that local communities benefit.

“The development will create direct and indirect economic benefits including the potential for local jobs during the construction period and a range of contracts that local firms will be encouraged to bid for.

"We will – in due course – hold a ‘meet the buyer’ event so that we can maximise opportunities for local companies.”