Castle Douglas residents give their views on windfarms in the Stewartry

A plan for 12 giant turbines next to the scenic Rhinns of Kells Range has sparked fierce debate.

Galloway has dozens of windfarms already. Controversy over their construction has often blown over amid an acceptance of the need for clean green energy.

And substantial community benefit payments from the developers have helped to sweeten the pill.

But the latest proposal for the Glenkens at Torrs Hill on the slopes of Corserine seems to have struck a nerve. Some turbines would be 250 metres tall and if built would be among the highest ever erected in Scotland.

The developers insist the project would be carefully planned.

But do people feel that Galloway is full up of windfarms? The News went to Castle Douglas to find out.

John Cunningham, 60, said: “Windfarms are good for the environment and the local community because they can get some funding for projects.

“But I think it impacts the landscape and they should take the views of the local people that are living nearby into consideration.”

Caroline Brown, 56, said: “I really don’t think it’s a good idea. It could put the tourists off coming to Galloway.

“They come to see the hills and the mountains and don’t want to see all these big windfarms.”

Grandmother Julia Langley, 72, said: “I am very much in favour of renewable energy. I don’t have much time for nimbyism but I don’t like very tall turbines either.

“The Rhinns is a fantastic ridge. The turbines should not go there if they’re that big. I would be in favour if they were smaller.”

Alison King, 71, from Edinburgh said: “This is the second time I have come to Galloway and it’s a lovely landscape.

“I think it’s important to consider the way a windfarm looks but it’s also important to think about the environment.

“I would like Scotland to produce all our own energy preferably from renewable sources. I believe that is the future.”