SOUTH Ayrshire Council have opposed plans to create a wind farm near Barrhill.

The application, which sparked a catalogue of mixed views, proposed to develop eight turbines at a proposed site south from Barrhill, namely Altercannoch.

The turbines were designed to stand around 131m and would generate the capacity of 3.4MW and the turbines blades would be 52m in length.

The proposed plan received back-lash from over 100 objectors with a number of those claiming that the applicant “lacked credibility” due to not enough information being given around the proposal.

Pat Spence, who spoke at the Regulatory Panel last week, explained that her property would be the closest and “most affected” should the application be passed.

She said: “With the arrival of the wind farms around me, the area has become severely compromised and everything has changed.

“I am now surrounded by 184 giant wind turbines with the prospect of that rising to 300, all within the radius of my house.

“The noise and especially the infrasound from the turbines, has deprived me of sleep, causing me to wake on numerous occasions during the night.

“My ears are permanently sore when I am at home – they ache and when it is really bad, I have stabbing pains in my ears.

“My main objection is the close proximity to my house, which is not acceptable. They would tower over my house in a very unpleasant and dominating way.”

ScottishPower Renewables also recommended South Ayrshire Council to dismiss the application.

In a letter, the company said: “SPR own and operate Mark Hill Winfarm and Arecleoch Windfarm and are currently in the process of constructing Kilgallioch Windfarm, all of which are in close proximity to Barrhill and the location identified in the application of the proposed Altercannoch Windfarm.

“SPR is concerned about the potential for unacceptable adverse cumulative noise impacts on local residential properties resulting from the proposed development.

"SPR observes that the environmental information supporting the application fails to adequately assess these impacts due to a number of deficiencies and irregularities.”

Despite the objections, there was still strong support for the development to go ahead.

Resident, Anne Robertson, explained: “I know there are a number of people who feel strongly that this application shouldn’t happen, however, a significant number of the Barrhill community do support this.

“Some 100 letters of support have been submitted because they have real experience on the positives that the application could bring.

“A windfarm like this is a great way to diversify farming which benefits the local families in the area and would lead to more employment.

“Everyone wants and needs electricity and windfarms are a much better source, rather than a company coming along and wanting to build a nuclear power station, which was the case a number of years ago.”

Cllr Canava, asked: “My concern is the impact on the residents and I am thinking just how near is this to the nearest residents?”

Austin Cook, priority projects Co-ordinator, responded: “29 properties are within 2km.”

Cllr Convery, concluded: “I am an advocate for local energy and I recognise the need for it but the problem I have is that the number of issues of allowing this development to happen, which according to the paper, is against the guidance and there is no overriding reason for deviating against South Ayrshire’s local development plan policy.

“I will use that as justification for the refusal of this proposal.”
Cllr Kilpatrick seconded the refusal.