South Lanarkshire councillors approved a huge wind farm site in Strathaven.
At the planning committee last week (September 13), elected members gave the go-ahead to the plans.
The six-turbine Mill Wind Farm site is predicted to provide clean energy to meet the needs of 21,000 homes.
The planning application made by Banks Renewables aims to build one of the UK’s most effective onshore wind turbines at Mill Rig Wind Farm and is on course to become operational within three years.
The wind turbines with an installed generation capacity of around 36MW will generate electricity to meet the needs of all the households in a town the size of East Kilbride.
As well as the generation of clean, green electricity, Banks Renewables’ new £40 million project will displace over 18,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from the UK;s electricity supply grid – this is the equivalent of removing almost 7000 petrol cars from the road.
Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager at Banks Renewables, said: “To gain planning permission is a major milestone for Mill Rig. The development will bring many social, environmental and community benefits to the local area and we’re delighted South Lanarkshire Council has approved these exciting plans.”
The Hamilton-based renewables company has involved the community through consultations throughout the planning process and will set up a local community fund which is expected to create up to £180,000 revenue annually.
The economy in the local area will also benefit from local contracts worth £11.7 million during construction, with business rates of £18 million expected to be injected into the public.
Robin added: “By working closely with the surrounding community, this project will help Scotland generate much needed clean, green electricity as well as providing local people and groups with funding to support the growth of important initiatives that benefit the communities close to Mill Rig Wind Farm.
“With the next steps of detailed design and construction, Mill Rig Wind Farm is on track to help Scotland achieve its ambitious net zero targets, bolstering the UK’s energy security by producing green electricity by 2025.”
The application received 164 letters of support, no letters of objection were raised.
Council planning officers recommended the proposals due to the economic and environmental benefits.
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