We have shown that we are continuing to listen and respond to feedback regarding a proposed wind farm in South Lanarkshire and will reveal an updated design at an exhibition this month.
We originally submitted a planning application for 19 turbines at Middle Muir, north of Crawfordjohn in November 2011 and after listening to comments from local residents earlier this year reduced this number to 17.
Now after taking on board comments from locals as well as planning officials, we have altered the design of the wind farm further by changing the location of three turbines. These changes mean that there are now no turbines within 2km of Crawfordjohn.
Updated Designs
Plans for the updated design will be revealed at a public exhibition to be held on 9th May at Crawfordjohn Community Hall in Crawfordjohn, from 3pm – 7pm and our team will be on hand to explain the proposals and answer any questions.
Colin Anderson, development director of Banks Renewables, said: “This is the second major design change we’ve made to our Middle Muir scheme since the application was submitted and reflects our continued commitment to listening and then responding positively to people’s views.
“Hopefully we can now move towards a positive determination on the back of a design that sensitively addresses the environment within which the wind farm is located as well as the views of local people.
“I am certain Middle Muir Wind Farm will make a very positive contribution to the local economy should we secure approval and can play an important role in the life of the surrounding communities for many years to come.
“The upcoming exhibition will confirm the positive changes we’ve made to the wind farm design, but it also gives us the chance to unveil an exciting new jobs and training initiative that we have been developing with South Lanarkshire Council over the last year.
“This will provide new opportunities for local people with the objective of helping them into employment; at a time when the whole economy is really struggling.
Total Commitment
“We are totally committed to this initiative and as a result has decided to provide new dedicated funding into the initiative during the first five years of operations of the wind farm. This will result in a £722,500 investment into creating local jobs.
“Furthermore we have agreed to advance fund the first year’s commitment of £144,500 to enable the jobs initiative to get kick started in 2013/4, should Middle Muir Wind Farm be approved later this year.
“At the end of this five year period we would review and agree with the council and the communities the ongoing needs of the area and either would continue this level of annual investment into the jobs scheme or redirect into the communities via the South Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Fund.”
As a result of the above the total funding commitment from Middle Muir Wind Farm has increased from £3.6M to £7.2M.
Colin added, “I really hope that as many people as possible come along to the exhibition on the 9th May to find out about this exciting initiative, as well as the important and positive design changes we’ve made to the scheme.
“I’d also encourage local businesses that could have an involvement in the wind farm going forward to come along and talk to us. Our team will be on hand to provide more information and answer any questions people may have”
Plans for the updated design will be submitted to South Lanarkshire Council on 3 May and if approved, the Banks Renewables Middle Muir Wind Farm could generate between 57.8MW and 68MW of electricity.
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