Planning Application for Blary Hill Wind Farm Submitted

RES, one of Scotland’s leading renewable energy developers, has this week submitted a planning application for Blary Hill Wind Farm. The 14 turbine project is located around four kilometres (km) east of the village of Glenbarr and 17 km north of Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and Bute and will have an installed capacity of up to 28 megawatts (MW). Argyll and Bute Council will now begin their detailed consideration of the application with a view to offering their conclusions on the proposals in early 2015.

The submission follows an extensive period of environmental and landscape assessments culminating in the production of an Environmental Statement which has been submitted to Argyll and Bute Council. That Statement, along with all other supporting documents and plans, is available for the public to view at the Council Offices in Lochgilphead and at the Glenbarr Post Office.

Neil Martin, RES Project Manager, said: “The plans for Blary Hill Wind Farm have evolved over some time and we believe we have designed a scheme that minimises environmental effects and is in keeping with the local area and pattern of wind farm development on the peninsula. Blary Hill Wind Farm will make a valuable contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy targets and provide significant economic benefits for the local area.

“RES is committed to playing a full part in the local community over the long term and the response we have received from many people within Kintyre to date has been very positive.”

RES anticipates that Blary Hill Wind Farm could result in spend of approximately £4 million in the local economy during construction and the first year of operation. The project will also deliver a community benefits package of £5,000 per MW per year, equating to a total fund of £140,000 annually for a 28MW project. This will be split between a Community Benefit Fund for investment in local projects and RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS), which provides an annual discount on electricity bills to nearest neighbours of the wind farm. More information about LEDS at Blary Hill Wind Farm will be announced shortly.

Argyll and Bute Council is now undertaking a formal consultation process, during which people will have the opportunity to comment on the wind farm proposal. RES will also continue to liaise with local community representatives and respond to any queries about the proposal