COUNCILLORS will be asked to raise an objection to a proposed new wind farm in upper Nithsdale at a meeting next week.

The recommendation comes from officials at Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) over the proposed Euchanhead wind farm project, around 9km south-west of Sanquhar and 7km south of Kirkconnel, close to the border with East Ayrshire.

The size of the proposed project – involving up to 21 turbines, each one potentially 230 metres tall to the tip of the blade, with a total 'installed capacity' of more than 50 megawatts – means a decision on planning permission will be made by the Scottish Government, not by the local council.

A report to DGC’s planning committee points out that there are already 12 wind farms operational or under construction within 15km of the site, and another 12 with planning consent within the same proximity.

In the report, council officials say: “By virtue of the scale, layout, design and location of the development as proposed, it would give rise to unacceptably harmful landscape and visual impacts that are greater than localised, and that would be adverse in the wider locale of the Southern Uplands.”

Seven of the turbines, according to the council’s report, “extend harmful effects beyond acceptable limits due to their scale and placement”.

DGC’s planning committee will meet to consider their position on the plans, which are being put forward by Scottish Power Renewables UK Limited, on Wednesday, February 28.

Scottish Power Renewables' proposals for the site can be read in full by clicking here.