Five-turbine wind farm at Land To West Of Glenchamber Wind Farm And East Of Draingower (proposed Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub), Near New Luce

“Five wind turbines, with a maximum blade tip height of 200m (Turbine 3) and 230m (Turbines 1, 2, 4 and 5); • Candidate turbine is Siemens Gamesa SG 6.6-170 with a maximum hub height of 145 metres, and an operating capacity of 6.6MW; • Foundations, crane hardstandings and temporary laydown areas at each turbine; • Watercourse crossings and associated infrastructure; • Internal access tracks of some 3.3 km total length; • On-site underground electrical cables and cable…”

“During construction of the wind farm, it is expected at least some 2500m³ of aggregate would be transported to the site for initial works. Access would be obtained via the U89W public road that bisects the site, with new accesses into the site confines and new tracks to include floating tracks.”

“Site description: The site is located some 18km west of Newton Stewart and 5.5km north of the A75 Stranraer-Newton Stewart road, on open boggy moorland in an undulating upland setting. It is some 130m to 160m height AOD. The principal site is relatively flat, traversing the U89W road running from the C3W near Gass to C1W at New Luce.”

“Plantation forestry abutting the site’s north-east side; • Dranigower and Drumpail Burns along the east and west site boundaries, with numerous tributaries crossing the site; • Cross Water of Luce, Water of Luce and Tarf Water are significant rivers in the wider area representing the wider catchment for the streams and tributaries at and around the site; • Southern Upland Way (SUW) passes the site from some 1km to the west; • Artfield Fell, Glenchamber and Carscreugh wind…”

“22/1121/FUL: Erection of meteorological mast up to 90 metres high with associated guy wires for a temporary period of 5 years at Craig Nab, land to north of U89w and 4km approx. east of New Luce Newton Stewart. Approved subject to conditions - 7 October 2022.”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC 22/2231/SCO: Request for Scoping Opinion under Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 2017 for proposed wind farm comprising of 5 wind turbines (with four turbines up to 230 metres and one turbine 200 metres from base to tip) and associated infrastructure at proposed Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub 14km east of Stranraer. Response issued 6 July 2023.”

“The development is generally acceptable in landscape terms noting an existing context of larger typology turbines. Negative landscape effects are described to the immediate west in specific views, but these are considered to be localised impacts. Cumulatively, the proposal would be set within a wider context of wind energy development and would not significantly harm the landscape character.”

“The proposed scheme is considered to be broadly compliant with the provisions of the relevant development plan policies, and as there are no material considerations of sufficient weight to justify a reason for refusal or otherwise override the presumption in favour of a determination in accordance with the terms of the development plan, it is recommended that this proposal is approved subject to the conclusion of legal agreement(s) and the conditions listed below.”

“The key considerations in the assessment of this application are:- • Principle of development, climate change, carbon balance and contribution to renewable energy • Landscape and visual impacts, including cumulative effects • Natural environment • Impacts on residential amenity • Access and traffic • Historic environment • Aviation and defence • Decommissioning and restoration • Public benefits…”

“[NB - No private water supplies have been found to be hydrologically connected to the development, and this matter is scoped out. The development would not affect forestry, trees and woodlands and therefore this matter is not considered further.]”

“(a) Noise, shadow flicker and visual impacts; (b) Impacts on peat; (c) Impacts on sensitive habitats and flora; (d) Cumulative effect of wind energy development locally; (e) Impacts on cultural heritage; (f) Visual and landscape impacts; (g) Impacts on attractiveness for tourism;”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC (h) Harmful effect on setting of New Luce village.”

“APPROVED application 24/2545/FUL subject to (A) the successful completion of the appropriate legal agreement within 6 months of the date of the decision or such other reasonable extended timescale as agreed by the appointed officer and (B) conditions as detailed in the report.”