Group stands by residents against windfarm plan

LOCKERBIE Community Council have agreed to lodge an objection against plans to construct six wind turbines in the Dryfe Valley.

It comes after a member of the public attended the group’s meeting on Tuesday night to ask for support.

Fred. Olsen Renewables has already made an application to the Scottish Government for permission to develop Balgray Wind Farm on land approximately 6km north east of Lockerbie.

They want to put six turbines, with a maximum blade tip height of 200 metres, on the site.

They say the site would be operational for 35 years and bring a £215,000 community benefit sum to the community each year.

Turbines would have a generating capacity of 43 megawatts, while the application also includes a 43 megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) and an on-site substation and other infrastructure.

This is understood to be the third time plans have been lodged for a windfarm on the site. Dumfries and Galloway Council rejected previous proposals.

Community council chair Ian McLatchie on Tuesday said: “The windmills are going to be huge. You will be able to see them from everywhere in the area.”

He then read out a letter penned by community councillor Simon Poole who was firmly against the proposals.

Simon cited concerns over the height of the windmills, their potential ecological impact and worries over the community benefit funding if the turbines were to produce less electricity than expected.

Sibbaldbie resident David Barron, attending as a member of the public, was next to have his say. Along with fellow residents in the valley, David has been fighting to keep windfarms out the area for over 15 years.

Asking for support, he said: “Over 80 per cent of the valley is against this windfarm for different reasons. I’m here tonight to formally ask you to put in an objection.

“We are also hoping that Dumfries and Galloway Council will do the right thing and object like they did with Scoop Hill.

“These turbines will be bigger than Blackpool Tower. It will destroy the character of the Dryfe Valley. They do not belong in the valley.

“We are looking for your support, because we need your support.”

Ian McLatchie had the deciding vote and he agreed the community council would lodge an objection to the proposals.

David added that North Milk Community Council had already agreed to object. It was noted that deadline for objections to the new scheme – September 26 – was fast approaching.