Insight
North British Wind needed to secure consent for a Section 36, 63 MW application for 19 turbines of up to 125m at Pencloe near New Cumnock in East Ayrshire.
Idea
We lobbied appropriate councillors, met with East Ayrshire Council officers and produced a strategy based on the then New Cumnock Community Action Plan. We also suggested that, as the community benefit – £5k per MW – would be significant, the community should consider creating a Community Development Trust to ensure it would be spent on strategic and sustainable projects. Our campaign generated over 50 letters of support and the initial support of New Cumnock Community Council.
Impact
As with other S36 applications in East Ayrshire, the Council’s Planning Committee chose to object, leaving the decision to be made by the Scottish government.
A Public Inquiry was duly held, the Scottish Government accepted the Reporter’s recommendation and granted consent.
