Another 50 turbines for hills

A Swedish wind giant has won its four- year battle to build Ayrshire’s latest turbine farm, writes Stuart Wilson.

Vattenfall will throw up 50 pylons close to Patna, Carsphairn, Dalmellington and New Cumnock.

The 150 metre high masts have been given the green light by the Scottish Government, who overturned a refusal by East Ayrshire Council.

More than 1200 objected to the project, known as South Kyle, back in 2014.

And Vattenfall accused the council of “delaying investment” in the region when plans for the farm were parked.

The energy giant has claimed it is ready to create 150 jobs for the area.

Communities will also be given a chance to buy a share in the project.

Guy Mortimer, Vattenfall’s UK head of development for onshore wind, said: “The benefits of this project can be significant and wide ranging.

“Of course there is a long way to go before Vattenfall is able to construct and operate this wind farm.

“But if constructed, this will be a wind farm that we hope local people and businesses will take pride in.”

He added: “The Scottish Government’s consent decision for this scheme is reassuringly robust.

“The wind farm proposal was scrutinised and carefully considered through a detailed public local inquiry in late 2015.

“As a result, this consent is a clear evidence- based decision that concludes South Kyle is an eminently acceptable proposal.”

Michael Keane, Head of Planning and Economic Development at East Ayrshire Council, said: “We have received notification of this decision. Obviously it is a complex application, there are many issues involved and conditions attached and we will be subjecting it to close scrutiny.”