North Lowther Energy Initiative Environment. Community. Sustainable Power. Presentation to Wanlockhead Village Council
Introduction Headline (Arial Bold 36pt) • 2020 Renewables and Buccleuch have formed a joint venture to assess the potential to create a significant renewable energy and habitat restoration project in the North Lowther Hills. • Buccleuch represents the business interests of the Buccleuch family. Today, the organisation is a diverse enterprise focused on all aspects of appropriate land use. • 2020 Renewables is a prominent renewables energy company based in Greenock, which has been developing energy projects since 1990. Current projects are in feasibility, scoping, planning, construction and operation. 2
The story so far… • 2020 and Buccleuch are working with partners including Scottish Government, Scottish Mines Restoration Trust, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Hargreaves Services on the restoration of the Glemuckloch Open Cast coalmine. • That project has been a great collaborative success. Benefits include: – 60 local jobs saved. – The lifespan of the mine extended, generating £12 million in wages for local workers. • Community turbine scheme with pupils from Sanquhar Academy administering more than £2m revenue from the turbines for community projects. • An eight turbine windfarm adjacent to the community windfarm scheme and the open cast mine site will deliver direct community benefit of £3.2million in total if 3 planning permission is granted.
The story so far… • Together, these initiatives will deliver between £17 and £18 million direct and indirect benefit to local communities; taking into account jobs, wages and contractor work. • The proposed eight turbines would power more than 16,000 homes and deliver on Scotland’s renewable energy targets. • Hargreaves, 2020 and Buccleuch hope to develop a pump storage hydro scheme at the site that would create six full time jobs in addition to the existing construction jobs. It would also act as an anchor for energy supply in the region. 4
Crawick Multiverse • A 55-acre former open cast coal site. • Restored at a cost of £1million. • Created a unique landscape art project designed by Charles Jencks. • Expected to attract visitors from across the UK and internationally. • Delivered by the Crawick Artland Trust and the Buccleuch family. • Driving considerable economic regeneration for the area: – increased footfall to Upper Nithsdale, tourism revenue to local businesses – jobs – education facility – leisure and recreation resource for the local community groups.
Current position • The Glenmuckloch and Crawick success cannot be achieved without collaboration. • These projects have led to discussions about what else could be achieved for the region. Diagnostics: • The North Sanquhar Moor is not delivering for the area. • Issues with the Powharnel Open Cast Mine Site for The Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage. • The Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area does not have the Hen Harrier and Golden Plover regeneration it should. • The council identified need for economic development in Upper Nithsdale. Require cornerstone project. • Power companies need an anchor base load to support energy production. • Community initiatives being discussed include: – railway – ski slope – mining museum – lack of tourism offering 6 – undeveloped old mining land around the village.
Our vision • Create a combined energy and environmental initiative that can deliver widespread benefit on a social, economic and environmental level. • A windfarm development that will help meet energy needs and cut greenhouse gases; supported by the proposed Pump Storage Hydro activity at Glenmuckloch. • A major peatland and habitat restoration scheme to revitalise the Special Protection Area, building on the habitat management protocols developed on the Langholm Moor Project. • Delivery of very substantial community benefits for local communities to prioritise. • Support for community ambitions. 7
Where we are now • Feasibility work is ongoing and will be discussed with consultees and communities. • Options include the potential to build a windfarm of around 100 turbines. • For example, Buccleuch land to the north west of Wanlockhead could potentially accommodate 50 turbines. • Preliminary discussions have been held among Buccleuch, 2020 Renewables, other local landowners, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government. • Community discussions are now underway. • No decisions have been taken and numerous options are being considered. 8
Site map Leadhills Wanlockhead Sanquhar 9
Peatland restoration • Large scale habitat management plan to be implemented over a long period giving habitats and species time to become established. • It is proposed to create extensive and detailed habitat management plans to enable positive and innovative peatland and heather restoration. • No turbines would be built on the North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area. 10
Areas of peat Peatland restoration Bio-diversity management Water management 11
Peatland restoration • Opportunity to improve the long term condition of the Special Protection Area. • A habitat management plan will be developed to be implemented alongside any development. • Opportunity to improve bog, mire and wet heath habitats. • Benefits to waders and black grouse, and to predators including hen harrier and short eared owl. • Plans will be developed in consultation with stakeholders including SNH and RSPB. 12
Benefits • Community benefit would be – at least - in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines. Given the potential scale of the initiative, Scottish Ministers will determine the outcome in accordance with planning policy. • Discussions will be held with all relevant parties in relation to community benefits, including local representative groups as well as Dumfries and Galloway and South Lanarkshire Councils. 13
North Lowther Energy Initiative Timings Timings • No planning application has been made and will not be submitted until scoping work is concluded at the end of 2015. • The scoping phase would be followed by six months of design work. Engagement • A community liaison team has been appointed to engage fully with interested parties. • Updates on progress and developments will be communicated regularly. • Expert representatives from the Initiative will be available to discuss matters with Wanlockhead Village Council. 14
Timings Contacts 2020 Renewables Limited Clyde View (Suite F3) Riverside Business Park 22 Pottery Street Greenock PA15 2UZ Tel: 01475 749950 e-mail: amacleod@2020renewables.com Queensberry Estate Office Drumlanrig Mains Thornhill DG3 4AG Tel: 01848 600400 E-mail: drogerson@buccleuch.com 15
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