A Fife-based wind power company has lost its second bid for approval to build a new turbine-generation development in Dumfries-shire.
The first application by Burcote Wind, based in Dunfermline, to erect 36 turbines in the Longburn wind farm project in Upper Nithsdale, was thrown out by the local council in 2012.
Burcote Wind then decided to reduce the number of turbines to 23 and, following further consultation with local residents and community groups, then further reduced its Longburn wind farm plan to just 10 turbines, each with a maximum blade-height of 134 metres.
However, this 23MW proposal – which would have generated some £100,000 in community benefits – was also rejected in a 7-5 vote at Dumfries and Galloway Cooncil on the grounds that the plan would ruin the local landscape and have a negative effect on what was claimed to be an “archeologically-sensitive area.”
Fraser Campbell, Operations Director, Burcote Wind, said: “We are aware of the sensitivities around wind farm developments, which is why we took the decision to revise our proposals and presented a 10-turbine scheme for Longburn Wind Farm as the most suitable development possible for the site.”
But Burcote Wind did not reply to an inquiry from Scottish Energy News inquiring if the company intended to appeal to the Scot-Govt.
Burcote Wind is backed by a £5.7 million investment from Hotbed – a private investor syndicate.
30 Aug 2017
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