Muirhall Energy pledge to generate £1½m funding for swimming pool if Annandale wind farm plan is approved

Muirhall Energy – which is proposing to develop Crossdykes Wind Farm in Annandale – has pledged to provide funding for a new swimming pool and leisure facility in Lockerbie should the wind farm be constructed.

Located about 1½ miles northeast of Corrie, the proposed wind farm comprises 15 turbines, each with a generating capacity of 3.2MW (48MW in total) and a blade tip height of 130m.

In addition to a community benefit package of £240,000 per annum (£5,000 per MW) to be shared by local communities, a number of community groups are also exploring the opportunity of owning a share in the project.

As part of the Community Benefit Package a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Lockerbie Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre Trust, which is looking to build, own and operate a facility including a swimming pool and leisure services.

This aims to serve Mid- and Upper Annandale, from Ecclefechan in the south to Moffat in the north and Lochmaben in the west to Langholm in the east. 

Should the wind farm be constructed £30,000 per annum will be paid to the Trust, amounting to £750,000 over the 25-year life-span of the project.

The same arrangement has also been agreed with The Locherbie Old School Project Group. This aims to secure the 140 year old former Dryfesdale Public School building as a community resource after it was deemed surplus to requirements by the council.

Robert McDonald, Chairman, Lockerbie Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre Trust, said: “ Discussions with Muirhall have highlighted that both projects would be looking to be up and running at roughly the same time and this gives extra weight to our business case. 

“This is an amazingly generous offer by Muirhall Energy and will clearly bring considerable benefits to not just those in Lockerbie, but in Annandale as a whole.”

Alastair Yule, Project Manager for Crossdykes Wind Farm, added: “Investing in the delivery of facilities is absolutely vital, especially in rural communities where depopulation is a major issue.”