COUNCIL chiefs will object to plans for a proposed wind farm on the Kintyre Peninsula, it has been decided.

The Scottish Government, on behalf of Energiekontor, has consulted with Argyll and Bute Council on plans for the facility south of Campbeltown.

But councillors expressed concerns over the visual impact, along with a “gentleman’s agreement” regarding use of the area.

The discussion took place and the decision made at a meeting of the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday, May 22.

At the same meeting, the committee also agreed to object to plans for another wind farm, near Inveraray, unless mitigation action was taken.

Helensburgh Central Liberal Democrat Councillor Graham Hardie said: “Over-provision is sometimes a material consideration and I think we do have to consider it on this occasion.”

Oban North and Lorn Independent Councillor Kieron Green responded: “I see where you are coming from in some respects. This is slightly different in that we have gone from an area putting in gaps between wind farms, rather than one where there has been no development to date.

“You are taking away the look of the landscape without development. You are taking it away from a part of Argyll and Bute where you have not seen that, and everywhere you look there is a wind farm.”

Cowal SNP Councillor Gordon Blair said: “I feel as if we have got to saturation point. The difference between this and the last application is that the community council has said it is against it.

“This is an area of Kintyre where we always had a gentleman’s agreement that we would not go that far south.

“No disrespect to the consultants, but do they live in Campbeltown, or in Argyll and Bute? It is all down to perspective and if we have to have an amendment, that is something we need to look at.”

Oban South and the Isles Conservative Councillor Amanda Hampsey added: “Councillor Blair is absolutely not the only person with those feelings. I find it highly frustrating, looking at some of these applications where councillors’ hands are essentially tied.

“We have a responsibility within planning and as councillors to represent our communities on what is best for them.

“With some of the wind farm applications that come forward, it seems very difficult to action that. There surely must be a way in which to do so. I certainly will do my own homework but there seems to be frustration across the board.”

Councillor Green then said: “We are entitled to disagree with the view of the landscape consultant, but there are consequences. I think we want to identify specific points where the impact is not just significant, but unacceptable.”

South Kintyre SNP Councillor John Armour said: “It has always been that the spine of Kintyre, moving south, is a huge departure from the gentleman’s agreement.

“That has caused a lot of problems, along with how it would be connected to the grid, if it goes ahead.”

Councillor Blair added: “The development would have a significant impact on the landscape character, contrary to policy. The development is likely to have a significant effect on smaller scale settlement landscapes.”

The committee then agreed that the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit would be notified of the council’s objection.