Whitelee Access Project
In 2006 CRE Energy received planning permission to construct a 140 turbine windfarm at Whitelee Forest on Eaglesham Moor. Construction of access roads and turbine bases commenced in September 2006, with the first turbine installed in late 2007. Access for recreational purposes is severely restricted at present due to the ongoing construction works, which are due to be completed in early 2009.
Once completed the windfarm, which will cover an area of 55 km2 of open moorland and forest, will be the largest on-shore windfarm in Europe and provide energy for 200,000 homes.
As part of the negotiated community benefit the development will provide for improved recreational access from surrounding communities including Eaglesham, Strathaven, East Kilbride and the Irvine Valley. Access developments will be implemented through the Whitelee Access Planning Group (WAPG), comprising representatives from Community Groups, Scottish Power, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission and East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils. A network of waymarked routes, building on the existing network of forest tracks and roads, will be developed over a 3 year period from 2008. A dedicated Project Officer has been employed to implement the Whitelee Access Action Plan.
A bespoke Visitor Centre will be constructed at Queenseat Hill, adjacent to the B764 to the south west of Eaglesham. The Visitor Centre will include static and hands on displays, a sixty seater theatre, café and viewing platform. This will be open by September 2009 and, it is estimated, will attract between 50,000 and 70,000 visitors annually.
As part of the planning approval, a Habitat Management Plan extending to more than 2500 hectares has been developed to enhance the habitat value of the site through the restoration of large areas of blanket bog and moorland habitat. Specific restoration work will aim to improve the site for breeding birds such as merlin and black grouse.
A dedicated website is being developed and a link will appear here shortly.
For more information on the Whitelee Access project please contact:-
Nick Prower, Whitelee Access Project Officer on 0141 577 3569
or email nick.prower@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
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