A PUBLIC consultation of the Callisterhall wind farm saw a ‘positive’ response to scaled back plans to install 10 turbines.
The event had three associates of E Power’s wind farm present, including the company’s own Gilbert Stevenson and Chris Kirkwood, as well as their community consultant Kirsty O’Brien.
They said they had seen a steady flow of visitors from residents from Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk, plus some from North Milk.
They were looking to find out more on the changes to the original plans for the 25-turbines on the outskirts of Langholm – 2.5 miles west and close to a number of existing wind farms.
Overall, the area is about 2,073 hectares. The Water of Milk is to the west.
Now reduced to a 10-turbine plan, they could be the tallest onshore turbines at 220m high.
“We’ve had a steady flow of about two, two and two again,” said Kirsty.
“We’ve not had a big gap since 2pm and it has seen a few community councillors in from North Milk, while Langholm, Ewes and Westerkirk are expected to come at our second event.
“It’s about being accessible.”
Residents had been concerned about the amount of wind farms already in the area and the impact they were having on the landscape.
The northern boundary is next to Ewe Hill windfarm and Craig windfarm is about 1.6km to the north east.
There are a number of residential properties within the site, mostly farms, while others are on the Lockerbie road.
Questions from those who ventured down to the Buccleuch Centre to hear what they had to sayon the new plans were interested to hear about the response from the company following their change of plan.
“We’ve been showing people the updated designs and how we addressed their concerns by coming down in size,” said Gilbert.
“As well as a community fund and infrastructure, and we responded stating that we want to help wherever we can.
“We want to have a design project as sensitively as we can, that is economically viable and taking into consideration the views of the people who live here.”
They said the update to the plans had seen a positive response.
Any further consultation events with community councils they said they would consider.
Currently being still being completed, their scoping report submitted in 2019 for the original 25 is still in the pre-application stage. However, their new plans which will take their place, featuring the 10-turbines, is due to be submitted at the beginning of next year.
A second public consultation will take place at the Buccleuch Centre on 7 December 2pm-6pm.