Loch Hill wind farm application rejected

The company wanted to build 11 turbines in the area but the plans have been rejected

A bid to build 11 turbines on land north east of St John's Town of Dalry in southern Scotland has been rejected.

Dumfries and Galloway Council planning officials had recommended approval of the 2020 Renewables development subject to a number of conditions.

More than 50 objections had been lodged to the proposals.

Councillors sided with the opponents and refused the application due to its "visual and cumulative impact on the surrounding area".

Managing director of 2020 Renewables, Alan Baker, said: "We worked very hard to ensure our application met with the approval of Dumfries and Galloway Council's planning officers and we are disappointed the planning applications committee has gone against the advice of their own officials.

"It is a real shame the application has been refused as it would have generated substantial economic benefits to the region.

"We will now consider our options as we move forward and we would like to thank the local communities and businesses in Dumfries and Galloway who gave us support as we progressed our application."

Campaign group Galloway Landscape and Renewable Energy held a vocal protest outside the planning meeting prior to the application being heard.

They claim that most wind farm developments are driven by financial gain and that turbines will not meet Scotland's energy needs.