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The Scottish government has refused consent for a 17-turbine windfarm near Patna in East Ayrshire.
Ministers turned down the application for the Keirs Hill project being developed by RES because of the impact it would have on nearby house and historic sites, “notably the Waterside ironworks complex”.
“The Scottish government’s policy on windfarms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our most scenic landscape and wild land area,” said Scottish economy secretary Keith Brown.
“We have been clear that windfarms can only be built in the right places and Scottish planning policy sets out rigorous steps to ensure windfarms are sited appropriately and sensitively.
“I have considered this application fully and recognise the efforts made by the applicant to mitigate the potential impacts of the development. However, I have refused permission due to the landscape and visual impact the project would have, including the effect on residential and historic sites in the area.”
The windfarm would have featured turbines with a height of up to around 150m and have an installed capacity of more than 50MW. The decision was made following a public inquiry which concluded in October last year.
Earlier this week first power was generated at Dong Energy’s Burbo Bank Extension offshore windfarm in Liverpool.
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