Solway for tourists and anglers – or windfarms ?

A MASSIVE windfarm development off the Stewartry coast could have a devastating effect on the fragile tourist industries, especially those associated with sea angling which is worth around £25 million/yr to the area.

Alarm bells are ringing after it emerged some of the huge turbines covering 52 square kilometres of Wigtown Bay will be less than four miles off-shore where Dong Energy UK has exclusive rights to develop a wind farm which will cover most of the entrance to the bay.

Development planning manager Andrew Maxwell described the windfarm as more “in-shore” than off-shore and told the planning committee: “The Wigtown Bay proposal is unusual as it is very close to shore and would be very much in the forefront of views from the coastal areas.

Continuing “This location raises concerns and would have a cumulative impact with the number of onshore turbines currently proposed in the Machars and around Kirkcudbright” and that “The potential to develop wildlife and access tourism is likely to be compromised by such off-shore windfarm developments".”

“Recreational sea angling, commercial fishing and sailing all play an important part in providing jobs, supporting sustainable coastal communities and assisting in providing a high quality of life for people in the region,” he added.

The revelations came in the Scottish Government’s draft plan for off-shore windfarm developments which is currently out to consultation.

It confirmed plans for eight windfarm developments on the Solway with six, said to be mid-term developments, planned for the waters just south of Wigtown Bay and the Machars.

More from the Galloway News here.

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