Press Releases

Panel refuses Ballindalloch Muir wind farm

Friday, 13th November, 2009

Stirling Council’s Planning Panel has refused permission for Npower Renewables Limited to build a wind farm at Ballindallock Muir near Balfron.

At the Planning Panel Hearing, chaired by Councillor Alasdair MacPherson, the Panel agreed to refuse the application because of the environmental and visual impact the huge turbines would have on Stirling’s outstanding landscape.  The turbines would have dominated the landscape being easily seen by residents and tourists from the Carse of Stirling, surrounding hills and to and from Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

The application by Npower Renewables was seeking full planning permission to erect nine 125 metre high (400 feet) turbines, an anemometer mast, access tracks, borrow pits and a substation that would have generated 27 megawatts of electricity.   The proposed site North-east of Balfron would have been accessed by a new track off the A811 Stirling to Dumbarton Road midway between Buchlyvie and Kepculloch Toll.

The Council received 115 letters in support and 428 letters objecting to the proposals.  Seven neighbouring Community Councils made objections to the proposals and one wrote in favour.   

Planning Panel Chair Councillor Alasdair MacPherson said:  “The Panel has given very careful consideration to this application and while we all agree that renewable energy is essential to providing a cleaner environment a balance must be struck between where they can be sited so their presence does not impact on the lives of our residents and have a detrimental affect on tourism in our area.  Stirling will continue to support and encourage the continued growth of renewable energies but not at the expense of the outstanding natural beauty of the local landscape.”

Stirling Council already supports renewable forms of energy on a large scale across the area.  With support for the Braes of Doune wind farm (36 turbines) providing 98 megawatts (MW) of output, approved planning permission for Earlsburn (15 turbines) 37.5 MW and agreed to an eight-turbine wind farm at Craigengelt, which is expected to produce up to 24 MW.