AN energy company has been granted a five-year extension on its plans to construct a windfarm near Moniaive – despite strong opposition from the community.
Energiekontor is planning to install nine massive turbines of between 180m and 200m in height at Fell Windfarm site between Blackcraig Windfarm and Loch Urr, about four miles south of Moniaive.
The German company, which develops windfarms and solar parks mainly in Germany, Portugal and the UK, was previously granted planning permission but has run into technical difficulties and this permission is now nearing its expiration date.
The matter was discussed at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning committee last Wednesday.
Case officer Robert Duncan said: “The key difficulty is they can’t get a grid connection within the timescale of the permission they have at the moment.
“So, to try and secure the permission that they have they’re seeking an extension to that timescale – which would allow them to implement the development once there is a grid connection.
“They’re not intending to implement the development until there is a grid connection there.”
Energiekontor also intends on creating a substation, battery storage facility, temporary construction compound, and other infrastructure on the land.
However, there is strong opposition from the community – with 27 letters of objection submitted to the council’s planning department.
Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Pauline Drysdale asked if the application could be refused on the grounds that the local community has not been properly consulted on the plans.
She said: “I really feel strongly that the community has not been listened to by Energiekontor, and the past developers across this whole sector of land.
“I feel that I need to be here to represent them today – that’s my job.”
David Suttie, the council’s chief planning officer, responded: “That would not be a material planning consideration that would justify refusal.”
Since planning approval had already been passed, councillors were only considering whether or not to extend the permissions by five years.
Councillors agreed that it should be, but also added a directive that the applicant must consult with the community.
