Plans to site a 100metre tall wind turbine in the grounds of Ayr Hospital have been approved.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran had applied to South Ayrshire Council for permission to erect the single turbine. 

It will have a hub height of 64 metres and a tip height of 99.5 metres, and the erection would include associated access tracks, crane hard standing, control cabin and a temporary construction compound.

The turbine will sit on a disused football pitch within the hospital grounds, and will be operational for 25 years.

Planning documents state: "The proposed development will help the NHS to meet this target and it will also ensure Ayr Hospital has a direct source of renewable electricity, therefore reducing the need to buy as much electricity from the grid.  

"This will result in a cost saving to the NHS A&A, freeing up money that could be invested elsewhere in their services.  

"It is considered the proposed development is important in reducing carbon to meet the Scottish Government’s targets and at the same time allowing the NHS A&A to reinvest the money that would be spent on purchasing electricity from the grid."

It is estimated that the proposed turbine would save 1,219.7 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran believes that the effect of the turbine on the surrounding landscape would be minimal. 

It said: "The overall effects of the proposed development on the landscape and visual resource are limited to a small geographical area, and a small number of receptors within this area would be greatly affected.

"Furthermore, the proposed development would be seen and experienced in a landscape alongside other existing development including buildings and telecommunication masts."

Concerns had been raised by Search and Rescue and Police Scotland that the turbine could affect the ability of helicopters to land at the hospital's helipad. 

However, those objections have now been removed to allow the application to be approved.

Prestwick Airport initially objected to the proposal on aviation safety grounds due to the turbine being visible on the airport’s primary radar and potential to generate unacceptable clutter.

The airport have identified that the impact can be mitigated and subject to a condition requiring a Mitigation Agreement, their objection has been withdrawn.

The application was approved by the council with a long list of conditions, including the need for a formal Mitigation Agreement with Prestwick Airport for mitigation of interference with the airport primary surveillance radar.