Over the years, New Cumnock has been subjected to continuous wind farm developments, and it feels like there is no end in sight. These developments are destroying our beautiful landscape, making the village unsafe for residents, and disrupting our way of life.
Many wind farms have been constructed recently with little challenge and our voices need to be heard.
Our village has been increasingly impacted by speeding, dangerous driving, heavy traffic, and the countryside being encircled 360 degrees by wind turbines.
View the interactive map below and decide for yourself.
No respect for New Cumnock residents
The ongoing developments in the area have pushed many residents to their limits. It’s clear that residents’ issues and concerns raised are either being ignored or met with empty promises.
The village has endured issues such as excessive speeding and dangerous driving. The roads around New Cumnock have become extremely unsafe, despite locals raising their concerns through various channels. Do we really have to keep going through this?
There are multiple projects using Afton Road at the moment. The narrow road now has ditches caused by HGVs, which use the grass verges to pass each other. Several walls have been knocked down, and signs have been damaged.
Even Burns’ Cairn, carefully maintained by a local resident, has been disrespected. Grass verges around the site are being used as makeshift passing areas, and one of the walls has been damaged.
Our Countryside
The local walkway group has recently done excellent work to encourage people to explore the area by repairing shelters and improving walking routes. However, how can anyone enjoy these walks when new wind farms are continuously granted planning permission in the area?
People of all ages use Afton Road to visit the cemetery, Danny's Brig, Burns’ Cairn, the caravan park, and Afton Dam, as well as to enjoy the newly improved walking routes, cycle, and explore the countryside.
The caravan park on Afton Road is also being impacted, as customers are discouraged from leaving the site to enjoy the countryside due to safety concerns.
Residents on this road have highlighted its only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.
Pencloe Wind Farm Extension
Pencloe is planning to submit a proposal for an extension to the existing wind farm. Please take a moment to read the information about the Pencloe Extension. This new development will be within walking distance of New Cumnock Cemetery, meaning these turbines could soon be right on your doorstep—they’re already in plain sight for Afton Road residents.
We urge you to view the visuals for the proposed wind farm extension and decide for yourself if this is what you want for our community.
This won’t be the end—developments like these are set to continue well past 2028. Additionally, another project, Enoch Hill 2, was approved in November 2024 and will be located adjacent to this site.
Why we should take action
We are fortunate to have this beautiful area right on our doorstep—truly, we are! However, our village is no longer safe due to the speeding, dangerous driving, and the ongoing issues brought by these developments. These problems have been magnified by the sheer number of wind farms in the area and it will just continue.
The cumulative impact of these developments is undeniable, with so many projects concentrated here. The ongoing visual changes affect not just how our village looks, but also how it feels to live here. Glen Afton, once known for its natural beauty and character, is becoming unrecognisable, with its landscape and sense of place being lost.
These changes also threaten tourism, which relies heavily on the area's appeal. Visitors who come to enjoy the scenery and outdoor experiences may no longer find the area as attractive, which will hurt local businesses in the future.
It is crucial that we:
- Object to new proposals.
- Speak with local councillors.
- Contact your local MP Elena Whitham
- Write to the Scottish Government at [email protected]
Our concerns and issues must be highlighted to ensure they are taken into consideration during the planning process.
Other Wind Farms in the Area
New Cumnock residents are facing similar issues noted above at other wind farm developments in the area. There also seems to be no consideration for our area—it’s turning into one massive wind farm. This interactive map clearly illustrates the extent of the issue.
Many wind farms are yet to be constructed, and planning has already been approved for well over 100 turbines. We recommend you look at the map and consolidated list of wind farms within 8 miles of New Cumnock — there are well over 500 wind turbines.