Council may oppose Dalmellington wind farm over two turbines

A report going before East Ayrshire Council's planning committee considers a consultation from Scottish Ministers on the application submitted by Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd.

The proposal comprises 11 turbines up to 200 metres high, a battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure on forestry land south-east of Dalmellington and south-west of New Cumnock.

The council is not the decision-maker in this case. Instead, councillors are being asked to provide a formal response to the Scottish Government, which will determine the application.

Planning officers conclude the principle of the development is strongly supported because of its contribution to renewable energy generation and climate targets.

The wind farm is expected to generate around 92.4MW of electricity, alongside up to 50MW of battery storage, and would operate for up to 40 years.

However, officers have raised concerns over landscape and visual impacts, particularly from turbines 2 and 5, which they argue would appear overly prominent from the Doon Valley and the B741.

The report states these turbines create "unacceptable" landscape and visual effects and recommends they are removed from the scheme.

Recommended conditions cover issues including noise, traffic management, peat protection, biodiversity enhancement, forestry replanting, private water supplies, community access, site restoration and a financial guarantee to ensure decommissioning and restoration of the site at the end of the project's life.

The report therefore recommends the council objects to the development unless turbines two and five are deleted and the proposed conditions and legal safeguards are secured.

East Ayrshire Council's planning committee will consider the report on Friday, October 23.