£180million plans for windfarms 

A “relentless obsession with industrialising rural Dumfries and Galloway” could see a £180 million project bring 77 more turbines to the Stewartry.

Opponents have labelled the plans by Dorset-based energy firm Infinergy “a sick joke”.

The company wants to build 45 turbines at Shepherds’ Rig near Carsphairn and two smaller windfarms at Marnhoul, near Corsock, and Stroanshalloch, between Dalry and Moniaive, each of which would have 16 turbines.

Infinergy representatives say their plans would offer “community benefits” but anti-windfarm campaigners disagree.

Galloway Landscapes and Renewable Energy (GLARE) co-ordinator Alison Chapman said: “The Infinergy website declares their intention of ‘putting the right sized windfarm in the right place’ and they clearly mean it since they have applied for no fewer than three sites in almost as many miles in the Stewartry, giving a grand total of 77 giant wind turbines.

“So they must have found not one but three places of the right size which are also just in the right place – at least in their opinion!”

She also took issue with claims that wind turbines help reduce carbon emissions. Mrs Chapman added: “If the consequences of erecting these useless turbines for our land, our birds, bats and wildlife, our tourist economy and our own lives were not so serious then it would be a sick joke.”

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown said: “Clearly, it is important that the council look at all possible applications individually and at this stage this appears to be investigative work. However, I will certainly be asking Infinergy for more details about their proposals, which potentially could be huge and have a major impact on the area.

“Although all applications should be looked at on their merits by the council, what will concern local people is the fact that even when they do this, and for perfectly legitimate reasons turn down an application, more often than not the decision is just overturned by the Scottish Government in Edinburgh.

“They have a relentless obsession with industrialising rural Dumfries and Galloway with windfarm after windfarm. I believe there is a place for wind energy but as part of a mixed energy policy.”

Infinergy staff have already met with some local community councils in areas which could be affected.

The firm’s Fiona Milligan said: “The communities in this area are already familiar with the process of developing wind energy and have a very good understanding of what that entails.

“I am looking forward to working with them to develop not only a community benefit package that helps to give real opportunities for long term sustainability, but also at ways of enabling them to take advantage of Scottish Government schemes such as the renewable energy investment fund which would give them the potential to becoming a real partner in the developments should they wish to.”

Infinergy has applied to the council for planning permission for on-site wind speed measuring masts.