PERMISSION is being sought to extend the timescale in which another windfarm can be built between Lockerbie and Langholm.
Hopsrig Windfarm Ltd have asked Dumfries and Galloway Council for a three year extension to their planning approval.
They want to put 12 x 200 metre high turbines on a site 7.5 kilometres north west of Langholm and 15 north east of Lockerbie in an area of existing commercial forestry plantation.
If agreed at next week’s planning committee, then the firm will have had a total of eight years, instead of five, to start the development.
Planning officials are recommending they are given the go-ahead to the change, which would extend the limit up to January 28 2027 for works to start.
However, conditions will be attached, including a financial guarantee for land restoration, a requirement to correct any broadcasting interference as a result of the development, a requirement to repair any public roads damaged as a result, and the appointment of a planning conditions monitoring officer.
A windfarm at Hopsrig has been in the pipeline for ten years.
It all started in 2015 when the council refused planning permission.
The developers at the time appealed that decision to the Scottish Government and eventually won.
However, the approval given then has still not been enacted.
And in advance of it expiring the current ‘section 42’ extension request has been lodged.
According to the official windfarm website, construction is expected to start later this year and it will be ready to connect to the grid in 2027.
