18 x 200m Turbines Located between Barr and Pinwherry, South Ayrshire

Email: econsents_admin@gov.scot

Ref: Knockodhar Wind Farm ECU00002153

Knockodhar is to be considered by South Ayrshire Council at a meeting on 1^st February 2024. This application if approved will fill in the gap between Hadyard Hill (52 turbines) and Markhill (30 odd) which is north of Arecleoch and Kilgallioch (some 140). While this is outside of the remit of Save Straiton please object as it is another application which are coming thick and fast in the area and all over Scotland. Please send an objection to the members of the council indicating the strength of opposition to further wind farm development in this area. If you cannot object, then please take note that this is yet another application for an industrial power plant in the area. The current council members for the immediate area are:

Martin Dowey martin.dowey@south-ayrshire.gov.uk leader of the Council

Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton

Councillor Iain Campbell (Conservative) iain.campbell@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Councillor Brian Connolly (Independent) brian.connolly@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Councillor William Grant (SNP) william.grant@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Girvan and South Carrick

Councillor Alec Clark (Independent) Alec.Clark@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Councillor Gavin Scott (Conservative) Gavin.Scott@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

Councillor Alan Lamont (Conservative alan.lamont@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

A simple email stating that there are already far too many wind farms in South Ayrshire and you hope the council will reject this application should suffice. Or you can use the following as an objection simply cut and paste or amend as appropriate and email to econsents_admin@gov.scot

Ref: Knockodhar Wind Farm ECU00002153

I understand that the Council is to consider this application on 1^st February, and I would urge the council to strongly object to this application for the following reasons.

• The development will have a significant and detrimental effect on the landscape in the area of Pinwherry, Barr and Colmonell and the Landscape Character Types designated by South Ayrshire Council LCT 18c and LCT 13 in this area.
• In conjunction with other existing wind farms, it will have a significant and detrimental effect on views from recreational routes in the area as well as the A714 and the B734 with potential to further damage the Merrick Wild Land area. Clauchrie was turned down by the Scottish Government because it was felt to unduly spoil the enjoyment of people visiting The Merrick in the same way that Carrick, Knockcronal and Craiginmoddie, Blair Hill and the others nearer to Newton Stewart would do also. Knockodhar adjacent to the Clauchrie site has the same effect.
• There are now twenty-one wind farms within 20 km of the proposed development comprising over 430 turbines in total, this is too much of an intrusion into the peace and quiet of the area. South Scotland has 5% if the country’s population and already more than 20% of Scottish turbines. It is already capable of producing many time the electricity which will ever be consumed in the area.
• Access to the proposed Development will be from the small village of Pinwherry on the A714, a winding road, wholly unsuitable for heavy construction traffic. The construction traffic, over 100 HGV movements a day, coupled with the impact of other wind farms under construction will completely alter the character of the village of Pinwherry.
• Deep groundwork for turbine bases and borrow pits together with the requirements to manufacture 37,000 tonnes of concrete will significantly impact the hydrology of the area which is already subject to water problems during dry weather.
• Aviation lighting which is required on turbines over 150m will damage the dark Sky Park, the Biosphere and other important tourist attractions in the area as well as impacting on the landscape during the nighttime.
• Estimates of noise and shadow flicker are based upon out of date methodology and give misleading results. There is already a history of properties being bought up by the ‘developer’ or abandoned due to shadow flicker. The impact of noise if based on guidance drawn up by the wind power plant industry in 1997 and is in need of urgent revision.
• The development will not make a significant contribution to reduced emissions because the grid cannot accommodate the proposed output.

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