MOFFAT’S residents are to be asked their opinions on a major new windfarm project later this month.
Moffat and District Community Council (MDCC) is putting the final preparations in place for its public consultation on Scoop Hill Community Windfarm – a development which, if given the green light, would see 75 turbines erected across an area of 22 square miles between Eskdalemuir, Boreland and Moffat.
With the overall aim of gauging the town’s views on the controversial plans, MDCC will distribute leaflets and launch a website which seeks to give locals a balanced and complete picture of the proposals put forward by developers, Community Windpower Limited (CWL).
Thereafter, people will be encouraged to submit their views and opinions on Scoop Hill — and there will be the option to either do this digitally on the consultation website, or by filling out a form on the distributed leaflet and posting it in a box which will be placed in the town for two weeks.
Updating members on plans last week, MDCC’s chair, Leys Geddes, said: “We have produced almost all the words and designs for a leaflet to distribute to all the households in the area and also for a website to provide additional information to people.
“We’ve been in discussion with Dumfries and Galloway Council about that because I think it’s important for them to be involved in the exercise and to be seen to be involved in the exercise.”
Mr Geddes also acknowledged those who have offered-up their expertise and skills free-of-charge to help the long-discussed consultation come to fruition.
He continued: “I’m holding on to hear from the council in order to blend all of these elements together and get on with it after that. Our hope is that we shall have the consultation in June because it should be quick once everything is agreed.”
Mr Geddes reiterated the importance of gaining “a quantified view of our community” when it comes to the proposals.
Furthermore, running entirely separate from MDCC’s consultation will be a public exhibition run by CWL, which townspeople will be invited to attend prior to the Scottish Government’s August 31 deadline for public responses on Scoop Hill.
