Plans of proposed turbines in Lesmahagow and Strathaven to go on show

Nov 26 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

PLANS to site up to 45 wind turbines on land in between Lesmahagow and Strathaven are to go on show at three public exhibitions next month.

Hamilton-based Banks Developments are behind the proposed Kype Muir development which is expected to generate 200 construction jobs.

The turbines are earmarked for commercial forestry and grazing land over one mile south of Strathaven and over four miles west of Lesmahagow.

Detailed proposals for the scheme are still to be finalised, but it is expected to feature between 35 and 45 turbines.

Although a planning application for the scheme will probably not be lodged for 12 months, Banks say they are keen to hear the views of the community on the planned windfarm.

The first of three exhibitions of the plans will be held at the Jubilee Hall, Wellwood Road, Lesmahagow, between 3pm and 7pm on December 8.

Two others will be held at the same times on the following day at the Public Institute on New Street in Stonehouse, and at the Barrie Shelter in Strathaven Park.

Banks Developments is a major player in the United Kingdom wind-farm sector and also has interests in surface mining, property and waste.

They were behind the construction of north-east England’s largest wind farm development in County Durham.

Rob Williams, renewables projects director at Banks Developments, said: “Our initial analysis shows that the area is very likely to be an environmentally suitable location for a wind farm development, and we are confident that we will be able to create a scheme which is acceptable to local people and provides significant amounts of renewable energy.”

Anyone who is unable to attend the exhibitions but who wants further information about the Kype Muir proposal should contact Siobhan Samson at Banks Developments on 01698 477410 or via kypemuir@hjbanks.com