NEW plans to build wind turbines on an estate near Lockerbie has infuriated residents.
Long-time Sibbaldbie residents David and Ann Barron were recently informed by post that a developer is looking into building seven new turbines on land within the Balgray Estate near to their home.
The prospective development is being put forward by Fred Olsen Renewables, a Norwegian company that currently operates 12 windfarms with more than 300 wind turbines in Scotland, Norway and Sweden.
According to the company’s website, the Balgray Wind Farm would consist of seven turbines and a battery storage unit with an installed capacity of 50 mega-watts located six kilometres north-east of Lockerbie.
The website also states: “We are at the very early stages of our proposals. Throughout this process we will be gathering feedback that will, alongside the results of the technical assessments, inform the design of the windfarm.
“The information that we gather will help us to develop a more detailed design, which we will discuss with the community and key stakeholders before applying to the Scottish Government for consent.”
However, David and Ann were both surprised and alarmed when they received the letter informing them about the Balgray Wind Farm, as they had previously been very vocal about their opposition to the Newfield Wind Farm proposal 15 years prior, as David explained: “Fifteen years ago the people of Dryfe Valley mounted a campaign against a proposed windfarm in the exact same plot of land. There was a meeting held at the town hall in Lockerbie and it was eventually determined by Scottish Government officials that the land was not suitable for a windfarm and that it would’ve had a negative effect on this valley.
“We all thought then that this issue was stone dead but apparently not with this new plan.
“We need to nip this in the bud before it goes any further, we need to be on the front foot with this because this area does not need or want any more windfarms, end of story.”
