Plans have been submitted for a new nine-turbine wind farm close to Patna.

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit for their Sclenteuch Wind Farm, located 3km southwest of Patna.

If approved, Sclenteuch could be capable of generating up to 54MW of clean, low-cost electricity to meet the annual demand of around 50,000 homes.

Two previous proposals from the same company were knocked by council planners in 2014 and 2016.

A 17-turbine proposal on Keirs Hill was referred to the Scottish Government for a decision in 2016, but it was knocked back.

In 2014, both East and South Ayrshire Councils said no to the original proposals.

READ MORE: Scottish government refuse Patna wind farm proposal

As part of the most recent scheme, RES is also proposing to create a new path connecting with the existing High Keirs track to form a walking and cycling route called ‘Keirs Glen Trail’. This will provide a circular nature trail, with car parking, biodiversity enhancements and information boards.

The development is predicted to deliver around £2.5 million of inward investment in the form of jobs, employment and the use of local services.

Public consultations were held in November 2021, before an online drop-in session followed up the plans.

RES say they will deliver a package of community benefits as part of the scheme and has engaged local people to explore ideas for this.

The feedback received to date demonstrates that discounting the annual electricity bills of residents living closest to the proposal is the preferred opportunity.

The renewable energy company plans to continue working with the community to investigate other meaningful forms of local benefit, which were raised during conversations locally.

James Cameron, Development Project Manager at RES, commented: “At a time when consumer bills are rising it’s vital that new renewable energy projects such as Sclenteuch, that can deliver low-cost electricity to consumers, are supported.

“The scheme also presents the opportunity to provide tangible recreational benefits to the local community through the creation of Keirs Glen Trail to the north east of the site, while delivering valuable biodiversity and habitat enhancements.”