Council overruled as turbines get OK

A wind farm has been given the go- ahead near Turnberry despite being blown out by the council.

Eight turbines are to be erected after the Scottish Government approved the plan overruling South Ayrshire Council’s original rejection.

Tycoon Eric Trump hit out against the proposal in 2015 as it was feared they would be seen by golfers at his luxury Turnberry resort.

Next week the application at Kirk Hill from Coriolis Energy will be back in front of South Ayrshire councillors to sign off on condition amendments.

The 360ft high turbines will stand on land up to 800ft above sea level.

The site spans 159 hectares and is located 1.7km from Kirkoswald and 2.8km from Dailly.

Reporter Christopher Warren visited the area on behalf of Scottish ministers and said the “development would have significant landscape effects” but they would be “localised.”

He produced a list of conditions for the wind farm to comply with to protect bats, minimise noise and address other concerns.

All turbines must be shut down at wind speeds of 6m/ s or less for three hours from sunset between May and August to conserve bats.

Also no turbines should be erected until the Turnberry DVOR aviation aid is withdrawn from service.

South Ayrshire Council rejected the wind farm on the grounds it would have a “detrimental visual impact.” It was judged the wind farm would have significant effects on the ancient monument Hallowshean Camp, East Threave Burial Cairn and Kirk Hill enclosure.

The farm will be located about three miles from Turnberry Hotel.

Mr Trump previously spoke out about the prospect of the towering structures and said they would “destroy the countryside and have a devastating impact on tourism.”

But the Trumps did not make an official objection.