Wind farm near New Cumnock is scaled back after feedback

It comes as an agreement has been reached between Blackwood Wind Farm Ltd and New Cumnock Development Trust to establish a Community Benefit Fund worth £120,000 per year.

This agreement was reached following negotiations involving the New Cumnock Community Council Group, comprising the New Cumnock Development Trust and New Cumnock Community Council.

The fund will amount to £4.8 million over the 40-year operational lifetime of the project, but as it is index-linked, it is anticipated that this figure will be considerably higher.

Initial plans had been drawn up for a seven-turbine wind farm, reaching up to 180 metres in blade tip height.

Responding to feedback from a consultation event held in June and other studies and technical assessments undertaken, two turbines nearest the town have been dropped, and the tip heights have been reduced from up to 180 metres to up to 149.9 metres.

Proposals for the wind farm are set to go on display once again, on Wednesday, December 10, from 12pm until 3pm and 5pm until 8pm at New Cumnock Town Hall.

Signing the MoU from left to right, Willie Nairn from New Cumnock Community Council. John Hunter from New Cumnock Development Trust and Colin Davie, Blackwood Wind Farm Ltd. (Image: Submitted)

John Hunter, chair of New Cumnock Development Trust, said: “Delivering more than £5 million of community benefit over the lifetime of the project, there is the potential for this funding to be a game-changer for New Cumnock as we look to progress our regeneration masterplan for the town. New Cumnock's regeneration masterplan.

“These current plans include the redevelopment of derelict buildings, supporting education and employment, funding leisure, improving access to sport, health, and wellbeing facilities, and hosting local events and promoting tourism opportunities.

"Future projects could include building new homes, a healthy living centre, and better transport options - projects that are not only important for the immediate future but also for the next generation.

“It would be good to get an understanding from the community of what it they would like to see this funding used for, and we encourage those who are able to attend the forthcoming public consultation event.”

Co-located with the wind farm will be a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 100MW.

This will store excess renewable energy, which is inherently intermittent, during periods of low demand and/or peak generation.

Bosses say that the proposed development will help address climate change, enhance energy security, lower energy bills, and deliver tangible local economic benefits, including local employment opportunities and the proposed community benefit fund.

The wind farm, should it be consented, could power the equivalent of approximately 13,599 homes annually.

 As the total generating capacity of the Blackwood Wind Farm project exceeds 50MW, an application for consent will be made to Scottish Ministers.

It is anticipated that it will be submitted in the first quarter of 2026, with East Ayrshire Council as a statutory consultee.

Colin Davie from Blackwood Wind Farm Ltd added: “A Community Benefit Fund, as is being proposed, will give the local community an incredible opportunity to deliver a sustainable income stream over which they have full control.

"Additionally, local employment opportunities will be available in both the construction and operation of the wind farm.

“We have responded to feedback from the first public consultation event held in June by dropping two turbines and reducing tip heights, and would encourage as many people as possible to visit the exhibition to view our proposals.”