OnPath Energy is urging South Lanarkshire Council to support its plans for the 245MW Bodinglee onshore wind farm in Scotland at a committee meeting next week.
Councillors have been advised by their planning inspectors to object to the Section 36 application on the basis of landscape, visual and cumulative impacts, as well as concerns raised over effects on the Eskdalemuir seismic array and aviation impacts.
An objection by the council would not prevent the permit request being approved by Scottish Ministers, who will have the final say, but would trigger a public inquiry to be held to determine the application.
OnPath said the proposals have so far received no other objections from statutory consultees and have “overwhelming community support”, adding the concerns over defence and aviation issues “are resolvable”.
It urged the council to take into account plans for a £50m community benefit package, the creation of a community energy company aimed at supporting household energy bills and an offer of up to 10% local ownership in the wind farm when reaching its decision.
The developer’s sustainability and community director Robin Winstanley said: “This is a nationally significant clean energy project with deep local roots. It delivers substantive socio-economic gains and enjoys overwhelming support from people living nearby – the very people who will see and benefit from the wind farm for generations.
“Bodinglee aligns directly with Scotland’s national planning policy and importantly is a critical part of Labour’s 2030 Clean Power Mission.
“Approving this project would send a powerful signal that local and national priorities on clean energy, cost-of-living, and community wellbeing are aligned and being delivered where they matter most.
“We’re urging committee members to consider the balance of all benefits this nationally significant project would deliver.
“Raising a no objection would send a strong message showing how the implementation of progressive new planning policies can contribute to both local and national government ambitions on climate, cost-of-living, and community wellbeing policies.”
Douglas Community Council chairman Brian Muir added: “We have worked with OnPath Energy for several years on this project and feel it is a great example of an onshore wind site, delivering lots of benefits for local people.
“The approach to community benefits is innovative – saving households considerably on energy costs – and the new plan for the area will also deliver significant new local amenities.
“People are behind it, and we want the project to go ahead. We urge councillors to approve this when it gets to committee.”
South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee is scheduled to meet next week to consider the application and issue its decision.