Additional information from Community Windpower’s Faw Side Community Wind Farm has been been submitted to Scottish Government ministers.
Plans for the 45 turbine, 315MW wind farm were originally submitted to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) in May 2019.
An ‘additional information’ request was made via a Regulation 19 application from the ECU, following formal consultation with statutory and non-statutory consultees, and it has now been formally submitted.
The information relates to ornithology, bats, cultural heritage, matters relating to peat management and peat slide risk, aviation and night-time lighting, landscape and visual updates and the provision of an outline Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) and an outline Habitat Management Plan (HMP).
It also includes modifications to access tracks onsite.
Projects director Gillian Cropper said: “We’ve spent the last 12 months diligently consulting with the relevant consultees and over the last few months have prepared the ‘additional information’ to ensure it fulfils all aspects of the Regulation 19 request from the Energy Consents Unit.
“Faw Side Community Wind Farm will provide clean, green energy to power 343,000 homes annually and would offset more than 558,000 tonnes of CO2 every year, which equates to 22.3 million tonnes during its 40-year operational life.
“It will also contribute significant financial benefit to the local communities, through a community benefit fund of £14m over its lifetime, which equates to £350,000 every year.”
The windfarm will contribute £157m to the Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders Councils through business rates, during its operational lifetime.
One of the company’s policies means they will be using Scottish firms, wherever possible, during construction and the working life of the windfarm.
Representatives plan to attend community council meetings once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
