A PLANNING application for Knockskae wind farm in Straiton, has been rejected.

The proposal of 11 wind turbines, standing 126m high, was put forward to South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel last week.

Ten speakers, all supporters or members of the group Save Straiton, spoke on various aspects of the proposed development, including shadow flickering, water supply, noise impacts and the historic and natural landscape. They also said the developer had failed to properly evaluate impacts on nearby houses.

Henry Anderson spoke on behalf of Crosshill, Straiton and Kirkmichael Community Council, explaining how local opinion was overwhelming against the proposed development site.

He said: “The initial public reaction to this proposed plan was shock and anger at how this could be imposed on such a beautiful rural community. A vote was then taken of who was for and against and out of the vote, 92 votes were against and no-one was for the application.

"It is my role to represent the wishes of my community and therefore I strongly urge you to turn down this proposal.”

Bill Steven, a supporter and former chairman of Save Straiton, added:

“Straiton is a community of fewer than 300 souls yet we have received nearly 3000 objections to this proposal. People from all over Ayrshire and yes, from all over the country, have raised valid objections to this wind farm application.

“These figures speak volumes. Why? Because we recognise that Straiton is special and its landscape is special and that our way of life is worth protecting.”

The project manager, Jamie Druitt, who is the applicant for the proposed wind farm said the plan would power up to 19,000 homes and provide employment and added: “We have received 72 letters of support for the application all originating for local addresses within 15km.”

Councillor Bill Grant said: “I am a supporter of windfarms but if they are in the right place.”

The councillors on the panel refused the application, on the grounds of landscape and visual, aviation, historic environment, water environment and residential amenities.

In a letter to the Ayr Advertiser, Bea Holden, said: “Save Straiton for Scotland agree with this decision and thank the councillors for their diligence and in ensuring they were fully conversant with the application and the many issues surrounding it.”