Planning permission granted for Scottish Wind Farm

A wind farm on forest land near Newton Stewart has been approved by the Scottish government. 

Developers Statkraft have secured planning approval to build a 67MW Artfield Forest onshore wind farm in Scotland.

Statkraft want to construct 12 turbines about five miles (8km) north west of Kirkcowan.

Shared Ownership

The Norwegian developer said the site will generate enough electricity to supply the equivalent of 60,000 households annually. In addition, it will explore options for offering shared community ownership ahead of construction.

Two community councils had objected to the proposals on the grounds of their cumulative impact combined with other wind farms in the area.

Benefits

However, the Scottish government ruled the benefits of the scheme would outweigh any adverse visual and landscape effects.

The closest village to the scheme is about three miles (5km) away at New Luce.

Its community council and the nearby Cree Valley community council both lodged objections to the wind farm.

Artfield Forest is estimated to be worth up to £72m during the development stage. This includes up £27m investment in Scotland during construction and £8.7m directed into the local economy.

Acceptable

They objected to the cumulative impact of the proposals and argued that it would create a "wall of turbines" in the area.

The Scottish government said it had taken into account those concerns but found the scheme to be acceptable.

In addition, it ruled that it could go ahead with a number of conditions attached.

The project in Dumfries and Galloway has been approved by Scottish ministers to install 12 turbines, with construction expected to begin no earlier than 2026.

Statkraft senior project manager John Wallace said: “The approval of Artfield Forest Wind Farm is good news for Scottish bill payers and businesses, and will contribute towards achieving greater energy security, and meeting the Scottish government’s net zero goal by 2045.

“We worked hard to ensure that the site was in keeping with the existing landscape and surrounding developments, and look forward to working with the community to deliver benefits and investment in the local area.”

Finally, the company added a community benefit fund of £5,000 per megawatt of installed capacity will be provided each year for the lifetime of the project.

Statkraft senior project manager John Wallace said:

“The approval of Artfield Forest Wind Farm is good news for Scottish bill payers and businesses, and will contribute towards achieving greater energy security, and meeting the Scottish government’s net zero goal by 2045.

“We worked hard to ensure that the site was in keeping with the existing landscape and surrounding developments, and look forward to working with the community to deliver benefits and investment in the local area.”