A 'PHENOMENAL opportunity' to plough millions of pounds into the Helensburgh community could come as soon as 2015, if a small-scale wind farm is approved.

Community-owned trading company Helensburgh Renewables outlined plans for the �7.8million wind farm designed to generate long-term funding for cash-strapped local projects and initiatives.

The plans are for five turbines erected on the hill at Inverlauren, behind Helensburgh and Rhu, each would be 86.5-metres to tip height.

The project, with a 20 to 25 year life span, is being set up and managed between three partners - Luss Estates Company, which owns the land, Green Cat Renewables Ltd, and Helensburgh Renewables.

The turbines could be seen 'theoretically' from as far away as Barrhead, Dunoon and even Rothesay, according to photomontages released by the developers.

The gross income for the wind farm annually has been projected as �1.45million. After debt service payments and operating costs, around �350,000 would be left to split between the partners.

The first �40k will be injected into the Burgh community if the excess cash is less than �120k with the remaining balance split between Green Cat and Luss Estates.

However, if this is more than �120k the cash is split three ways.

Ian Fraser, managing director of Helensburgh Renewables, told Helensburgh Community Council on Tuesday evening there is no requirement for cash input from the community at any point.

"This is a project that can work for the thousands of people living in Helensburgh," he said.

"This is all about gaining revenue for Helensburgh given the current economic climate and we need to be forward thinking for the community. Wind turbines are just a way of achieving this. This is a phenomenal opportunity for Helensburgh and we would like people to listen with an open mind."

A public consultation will start from later this year, and the developers said on Tuesday night they have gone public a lot earlier than is normally expected for a project of this type.

Pick up a copy of the Advertiser this week to read the full story.