South Lanarkshire Council

Plans to harness green energy have been given the go-ahead for the construction of three 115m wind turbines on agricultural land on Hamilton's Muttonhole Road.

The proposal, once completed, will see up to 100% of the 15mw of energy produced made available for use by the Technology Park, thanks to the a unique partnership between the council's planning service, applicant Blantyre Muir Wind Energy Limited and the park owners.

Councillor Graham Scott, the chair of the council's Planning Committee, said: "When the first application for three turbines was submitted in 2007, the plan was for the power generated to be fed into the national grid."

The applicant was previously granted consent in 2009 for three turbines on the site and this latest decision will bring that number to six, creating a total green energy availability to almost 20mw per year - the equivalent of meeting the electricity needs of 15000 homes.

However, during the processing of the proposal, the planning service became aware that one of the units at the Technology Park needed a source of green energy. All three parties worked closely to reach agreement on the 25% power plan as agreed under a Section 75 agreement.

Councillor Scott added: "And now this innovative approach has picked up again with the current proposal so that up to 100% of the power generated by these three turbines could be harnessed by the park.

"To my mind, this is a great example of the way in which the planning process can make a difference. This has shown real forward thinking and flexibility in adapting a proposal to fit the needs of the local business community.

"I am quite sure the benefits both to the economy and the environment will be significant."