90-metre meteorological mast at Proposed Lairdmannoch Energy Park Site 7km North-East Of Gatehouse Of Fleet

What was proposed

The application sought a 90-metre meteorological mast with guy wires for five years, using existing routes and temporary installation works.

“Proposed Development 1.3 Permission is sought for the erection of a meteorological mast for a temporary period of 5 years. The mast would have a conventional design with maximum height of 90 metres and be supported by a number of guy wires. In order to install the mast, access would be taken from the A75 to the south near Twynholm utilising the U28S and then country tracks heading north to the open area of land where the mast would be dismounted, assembled and installed.”

“PUBLIC PUBLIC most) per day. The applicant has confirmed that no abnormal loads or mobile cranes will be required as part of the proposed development.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is elevated countryside containing upland bog and wet heath, with sparse nearby settlement and no nationally designated landscape or specific ecological protection.

“Application Site 1.2 The site is within the countryside some 7km north of Gatehouse of Fleet and 10km west of Castle Douglas at an elevated part of the land which comprises of upland bog with wet heath. This part of the landscape is relatively open with Laurieston Forest to the north and Glengap forrest to the south. The nearest roads are the A762, some 3.7km to the east and the A75, which is approximately 8km to the south.”

Officer report

Related energy park

A separate Section 36 application for Lairdmannoch Energy Park, including nine wind turbines and associated infrastructure, remains under consultation.

“Planning History 1.4 ECU00004900 (DCG ref no 25/1046/S36) - An application was submitted to Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 to construct and operate Lairdmannoch Energy Park which is a development comprising of nine wind turbines, each with a maximum tip height of 180m, ground mounted solar panels, battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure. That application is still going through a consultation process.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The community council objected, while aviation, nature, roads, archaeology and bird-conservation consultees raised no objections or supported approval with conditions.

“Tongland and Ringford Community Council– Objection. Object on a number of grounds summarised as follows: • There is no link provided to the energy park application currently under consideration by Scottish Ministers and subject to numerous relevant objections from the public and key consultees. • The sequencing doesn’t make any sense as the EIA was undertaken in 2023, some 3 years ago, and didn’t include this tower, yet the tower is now seen as an essential component.”

“Ministry of Defence – No objections subject to conditions. Conditions should be attached to any planning permission securing appropriate aviation lighting, and information to be provided to enable the MOD to chart the development and manage any safety issues accordingly.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Four objectors addressed the committee, with the chair allowing five minutes because of an error about the application’s classification.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved application 25/2255/FUL subject to the conditions set out for the mast’s removal, marking, aviation safety and archaeological protection.

“APPROVED application 25/2255/FUL subject to conditions as details in the report.”

Minutes