Community shaped proposals for Glen Water Wind Farm to be revealed at January consultation events 

COMMUNITIES across East Ayrshire are being invited to view the final proposals for a new wind farm, which has been shaped using feedback from local voices as a local developer launches its second round of public consultations. 

Newly updated plans for Glen Water Wind Farm, located east of Netherthird, on the site of a former opencast coal mine are to be revealed at three public consultation events next week. The proposals reflect extensive feedback gathered during the first phase of consultation in April last year.  

To reach as many members of the community as possible OnPath Energy hosted three full day in-person consultation events, undertook an extensive online survey, expanded its reach through social media campaigns in addition to face-to-face door knocking in the local area.  OnPath Energy has a long and rich history of successful renewable energy developments spanning twenty years across the UK. Other projects include the nearby Lethans, Lethans Extension and Mill Rig Wind Farm projects.  

If approved, Glen Water Wind Farm would sit on the restored Garleffan and Grievehill site and consist of up to six turbines with a maximum tip height of 200 metres. It would generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of around 36,000 homes annually. 

The consultations will provide residents, businesses and community groups with an opportunity to view updated plans and speak to project team members before the planning application is submitted to East Ayrshire Council later this month. 

Ewan Robertson, project manager at OnPath Energy, said:  

“We’ve listened carefully to the feedback from our first consultation and used it to help us shape the updated designs we’ll be sharing next week. We know how important it is that these developments are shaped with communities, listening to local voices and insight to help guide every stage of the process.” 

Community feedback has seen OnPath Energy adapt its plans by reducing the number of turbines from eight to six as well as reducing the height of the turbines from up to 250m tip height to up to 200m tip height. Early consultation highlighted that energy costs, history and heritage and the environment were important to local people. As a result, other additions to the proposal include a pilot home decarbonisation project which aims to reduce household energy bills by funding energy efficiency improvements, the creation of a heritage trail telling the story of the site’s mining history and work to protect peat bogs, a vital source of carbon capture.  

If consented Glen Water Wind Farm is expected to deliver long-term tangible benefits for the area, including £8.6 million in community benefits package ,  shared ownership with a free 1% equity for the local community; giving local people the opportunity to become stakeholders in the development, in addition to a targeted local economic spend of £1million / MW prioritising local businesses in the supply chain.  

The Glen Water site has already seen strong local engagement. OnPath Energy invited pupils from Netherthird, Logan and New Cumnock Primary Schools to help to re-name the project with Glen Water Wind Farm chosen for its strong connection to local geography and heritage. 

Aileen McCreadie, partnerships and community manager at OnPath Energy, said: 

“We’ve been encouraged by the positivity and passion local people have shown around our proposals. Throughout our conversations with local people, we’ve found there is a desire for a just transition to renewable energy that is done in a collaborative way which addresses local challenges, acknowledges the history and heritage of the area whilst maximising the long-term tangible benefits the project could deliver.  

“I believe that together with communities, we have developed a proposal that responds to local feedback with a long term focus on delivering benefits that make a real difference to the lives of local people for generations.  

“We will continue to build trust through open, transparent conversations as we develop long term relationships with all communities and key stakeholders around the project.”  

Public consultation events will take place on the following dates: 

• New Cumnock Bowling Club – 19 January, 1:00pm–7:00pm 

• Netherthird Community Centre – 21 January, 1:00pm–7:00pm 

• Lugar Bowling Club – 22 January, 1:00pm–7:00pm 

Attendees including the primary school “Clean Green Teams” from Netherthird, Logan and New Cumnock Primary Schools will be able to explore detailed plans, view visual impressions and speak directly with members of the OnPath Energy team. 

If consented, the project will contribute meaningfully to Scotland’s renewable energy targets as well improving the UK’s energy security. If consented the new wind farm is expected to be operational in the summer of 2031 (subject to grid connection date). 

Ewan added: 

“We’re proud to be progressing a proposal that could transform a former coal mining site into a clean, sustainable energy source for future generations, while also ensuring real, tangible benefit for those living nearby for years to come.” 

Consultation materials are available online now for those unable to attend in person. More information can be found at:   www.onpathenergy.com/GlenWater