The Scottish Government has given Vattenfall consent for its proposed South Kyle Wind Farm in East Ayrshire and Galloway.
Guy Mortimer, Vattenfall’s UK head of development for onshore wind, said: “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.”
Last week, the Scottish Government consented the 170MW wind farm located near Dalmellington, Patna, New Cumnock and Carsphairn. Vattenfall will consider the consent decision in detail before confirming the forward schedule. The Scottish Government set a 5 year deadline for the commencement of development in its decision letter.
Vattenfall’s proposal for South Kyle Wind Farm was subject to a public local inquiry in late 2015 following a planning application in 2013.
Vattenfall said it planned to offer the local communities a right to acquire an interest of up to 5% in the scheme. The firm will also provide a community benefit fund of £5,000 per MW installed per annum over the operational lifetime of the wind farm.
The Scottish Government said it that in addition to representations by the Planning Authorities, SNH, SEPA and Historic Environment Scotland, a total of 1305 public representations were received; 1280 were objections and 25 were in support.
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