PDF Contents 1. Consultation Boards 2. Additional Information WINDFARMS IN THE DOUGLAS VALLEY DEVELOPING A LEGACY COMMUNITY BENEFIT CONSULTATION Welcome to the Consultation Introduction Welcome to our online consultation on future arrangements for the investment of Community Benefit Funds associated with windfarms both consented and proposed within the Douglas, and Community Council areas.

Community Benefits Community Benefit Funds are sums provided by windfarm developers to ensure communities share in the benefits of their local energy resources. The Scottish Government has developed Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits and in line with this guidance we are looking to consult on the best arrangements for the local area.

Who We Are 3R Energy (3R) is a windfarm developer active in the Douglas Valley with offices based in . ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) is part of the ScottishPower Group of Companies operating 39 onshore windfarms in the UK under Iberdrola Group. We very much welcome your input to the consultation and your Consultation on Options feedback. Please make any comment or ask a question through We are looking to explore how Community Benefit the link provided below. All completed surveys will be entered contributions from windfarms developed by 3R and SPR could in a prize draw for a range of vouchers from local businesses as be best delivered and to better understand local priorities. a thank you for taking the time to participate. For the purposes of this consultation, the term ‘Douglas Valley’ is intended to capture the geographical area shown shaded Click Here to complete our survey. blue on Figure 1, Slide 5. Purpose of the Consultation

To introduce the Explore the potential Options Explore and seek your Review Next Steps to Windfarms and Local for Delivery of Community feedback on a potential range establish a basis for Further Community Benefits Benefit Funds of Projects and Investments Discussion

Provide information on Setting out the various different Identify the different types and The outcome of this the consented ways that the funds could be scales of project that the consultation on Community windfarms and those delivered and managed to best Community Benefit Funds could Benefit Funds will help under consideration, support and enhance be used to deliver. inform further engagement and scale of potential communities closest to the and discussion with the funds that would result windfarms. community, with local groups from these. and with South Council. The Projects and Potential Community Benefit Funds

Hagshaw Hill Repowering (84MW) Douglas West Windfarm Extension Cumberhead West Windfarm (126MW) (78MW) Location - 3.2 km west of Douglas Location – 4.3 km to the west of and 3.5 km south of Coalburn. Location - 2.7 km north-west of Coalburn, 5.6 km to the south-west of Status - Consented Douglas and 1.7 km south of Lesmahagow and 7.2 km north-west of Ownership - Project owned by SPR, Coalburn. Douglas. to be built on land controlled by 3R. Status - Currently at application Status - Currently at application stage Community Benefit Fund - up to stage with the Scottish Ministers. with the Scottish Ministers. £420,000 each year and up to £12.6m Ownership - Project jointly owned Ownership - Project jointly owned by 3R over its 30 year lifetime. by 3R and SPR. and SPR. Community Benefit Fund - up to Community Benefit Fund - up to £390,000 each year and up to £630,000 each year, and up to £18.9 m £11.7m over its 30 year lifetime. over its 30 year lifetime.

The potential total Community Benefit Fund from these 3 projects could be up to £1.44m per annum or £43.2m over 30 years. Geographical Area and Key Communities?

Lesmahagow

Rigside & Coalburn

Douglas (incl Glespin) Figure 1 – Geographical Area

Community Council Areas for Douglas / Coalburn / Lesmahagow / & Douglas Water shown in blue Douglas Valley Socio-Economic Context

Context The area has a range of socio-economic challenges and Local Area - Socio Economic Data * these will help to inform local needs and identify areas of opportunity that could be supported by Community Benefit Funds. Population of 14,647 ( South) with population of 320,000 Local Community Action Plans provide a snapshot of some of the local issues, community aspirations and ideas both now and in the future. Common themes Between 1998 and 2019, the population of South across the Action Plans are around: Lanarkshire has increased by 5.7% but local populations are static or declining .

• Community Support Projects Coalburn, Douglas and Glespin have developed Focus on local priorities, stronger communities, Community Action Plans as has Lesmahagow, Rigside & supporting local needs, retaining local jobs, Douglas Water . opportunities and wealth.

• Creating new Local Opportunities A number of Community organisation and Trusts exist and local communities are active through a diverse range of Aims need to create new employment opportunities organisations in the local area or settlements through projects that promote local enterprise and encourage visitors to the local area that could make a real difference over the longer term. Typically the villages have a population profile older than the national average with a lower working age population, higher unemployment and lower educational attainment • Improving Quality of Place / Recreational & Leisure Facilities / Quality of Life / Health & Well-being Projects should set out ideas around local South Lanarkshire had the fifth largest number of Income improvements for both residents and visitors as Deprived people in (40,695) and also the fifth largest number of Employment Income people (19,617) better paces to – live, work and play and build stronger, healthier communities.

*Data from: Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Scottish Government Statistics including 2020 SIMD Successful Community Benefit Funding

Operational windfarms across Scotland have been providing community benefit funds for two decades across a range of groups, scales and locations.

Successful funds and projects are typically delivered through a combination of strong local participation, accountability, leadership and community engagement linked to a clear vision and a focus on delivering meaningful projects. A number of key principles underpin success:

• Strong Local Accountability Good local representation , participation and engagement • Good Administration Quality accountable administration and financial fund management • Clear Vision addressing Local Need Building a vision meeting both short/medium and longer term needs that take full advantage of the scale and long- term nature of the funding available.

These principles have informed thinking around the Management and Delivery Options for the local area that From Scottish Government Good Governance Principles for forms part of this consultation. Community Benefits, 2019 Options for Management & Delivery of Community Benefits

Three possible options for the management and delivery of the community benefit funds are outlined below. The options offer differing levels of local control/responsibility and differing arrangements for administrative support.

Option A (Existing) Option B (New) Option C (New) South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) SLC & Local Panel Douglas Valley Community Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Douglas Valley Investment Fund Benefit Company

Funds Held By - South Lanarkshire Funds Held By – SLC in a designated Funds Held By – Community Benefit Council (REF). Douglas Valley pot. Company. Administrator – South Lanarkshire Administrator – SLC administers fund Administrator – Local Board with third Council (REF) administers fund based with decisions on funding priorities and party support to manage delivery with on applications received. Grant individual funding applications made by the possibility of appointing dedicated Decision made at Council a Local Panel. Local Panel made up of project officer(s). Local Board made up Committee. representatives from the local of representatives from the local Delivery – SLC awards grants to communities (see map in Appendix). communities (see map in Appendix). eligible projects within 10km of each Delivery – Specific focus on developing Delivery – Local Board develops a windfarm and within the SLC a Strategic Plan for the local area which Strategic Plan setting objectives and boundary (see map in Appendix). SLC has ambitious projects and sustainable priorities for funding. Local Board staff manage grants. job creation at its core. Local Panel to review and approve funding set strategic direction and approve applications. Third party organisation applications based on local priorities. staff manage grants and support Dedicated SLC staff help developing and project development and delivery. deliver local projects, administer the grant and support the panel. The options reflect differing management arrangements and structures for decision making eg. Council / Council + Community Initiative / New Community Organisation. Clearly a number of hybrid options exist around arrangements for fund administration. Additional information on each of the three options above can be found in the Appendix to this consultation. How the funds could be used?

Short Term and Funds for Medium Term Funds for Long Term Funds for Major Future Community Wealth Community Support Community Support Long Term / Legacy Projects Fund – Savings for Future

Types of Projects and Scale Types of Projects and Scale of Types of Projects and Scale Types of Projects and Scale of Funds? Funds? of Funds? of Funds? • Funding local groups in • Local projects addressing • Long term • Creating a “nest egg” for local activities community needs transformational or future generations • Supporting education • Project which support local jobs legacy projects • Investing/ saving a small • Supporting carers • Driving community wealth • Regeneration projects but regular portion of • Applications from • Opportunities for young people creating long term jobs fund for future individuals as well as and working age population • Major investment e.g. • Developing a long-term groups in the community • Apprenticeships for young tourism / attractions community wealth • Annual commitments e.g. people • Projects supporting local programme gala days / music groups / • Retaining and growing local and regional economic sports kit and equipment population activity & growth etc • Rural housing support • Building economic • Rural transport support activity and resilience • Rural energy and ICT support • Securing diversity of jobs • Supporting community councils and activities and in turn other organisations • Helping communities e.g. local churches / halls etc achieve Net Zero Potential for Shorter Term Projects? Creating a mix of short/medium/long term projects

Project Idea The Douglas Valley covers a wide rural area which has a significant industrial past and an increasing role in the move to net zero through its contribution to wind energy. The past has seen extensive mining creating a legacy of extraction and decline. Towns and villages and their local communities are keen to see re-investment to regenerate local centres, improve job opportunities and support local communities.

Ideas Around Community Facilities and Quality of Place The various Community Action Plans capture many of the ambitions of local communities. Funds from windfarm Community Benefit will increasingly be able to support a range of local projects and initiatives. Short term projects can address immediate needs whereas med/longer term projects may be required to build a stronger local economy, jobs and new capacity across the community.

The Place Standard (Scottish Government, Architecture & Design Scotland and NHS Scotland) is a tool that is used to assess the quality of a place. It can assess places that are well established, undergoing change, or still being planned. The tool can also help people to identify their priorities for a particular place. Potential for Shorter Term Projects? Creating a mix of short/medium/long term projects

Potential Ideas based on enhancing existing Community Facilities and Place Quality Illustrative ideas within all the areas Action Plans build on a range of themes that reflect the needs of individual communities and groups within each community. A wide range of projects have been identified and many of these are well advanced and have used REF funding (see Appendix for examples). There is no shortage of good ideas.

Creating opportunities for the Community and Jobs • Support to deliver workplaces and ensure affordable business space. • Practical local skills and training and employability support alongside existing measures.

Addressing the challenges of Local Transport & Accessibility • Improving access and mobility with rural transport initiative. • Improving safe access and opportunities for active travel.

Quality of life – Quality of place • Projects that support quality of life, health and well-being and support community capacity. • Open space and public realm improvements and addressing issues of maintenance.

Building Community Capacity • Supporting greater engagement and opportunities for involvement across community groups. • Addressing local needs and improving coordination within and between villages. • Strengthening community assets / community ownership and local capacity. • New Douglas ‘Inside-Out’ app is a good example of the local community working in partnership with SLC and others. Potential Med-Long Term Projects? Creating a mix of short/medium/long term projects

Project Idea

The area benefits from direct access to/from the M74, less than 40mins from which provides a real opportunity to draw visitors to the area if the offering is right.

Develop the appeal of the Douglas Valley to visitors in order to attract moredayvisitors into the area and help to support local businesses, create local jobs and make more of the outdoor assets the area has. A number of mountain biking centres and cycle trails exist in Scotland and these have worked well in attracting visitors to an area and supporting the local economy.

Ideas Around Tourism and Attracting Day Visitors

Areas like the Scottish Borders and the Coast use their environmental assets to support the local economy and help to retain jobs and opportunities for young people. However, tourism and the day visitor market is relatively well provided for and it can be challenging to develop new facilities, so the concept must be right.

Most importantly new opportunities have to respond to visitor needs with the main areas of growth:

• active leisure (mountain biking / adventure trails / etc); • extreme or adventure sports; • environmental experiences (dark skies / geo-exploring / walking route ); and • combine with short stay breaks with diverse accommodations (hotels / self catering / glamping / etc. and good local food and beverage offers). Potential for Med-Long Term Projects? Creating a mix of short/medium/long term projects

Potential Ideas based on building New Visitor Based Activity

Illustrative ideas could cover a diverse range of facilities and attractions but importantly should link closely to existing centres and support developing each centreasalocal destination and visitor base.

Climate Change – Centre for Low Carbon Living

• Developing a centre or broader themes for all centres based on history of the area’s contribution to Scotland’s energy requirements through the years. • Linking past and local heritage with new technologies and zero carbon. • No rural/place alternative offer in Scotland.

Family Bike & Scotland’s E-Bike Centre - Douglasdale Biking or Outdoor Centre

• Outdoor E-bike National Centre, powered by renewable energy. • Diverse range of Rides & Trails (Mountain/Family/Beginner/Trials/ Pump-track). • Associated Walking / Cross Country Skiing / Roller Skiing leisure / etc.

Artisan Food, Brewery & Bakehouse- Connection Good Quality Local Services

• Strong hotel-pub /bakery /café and local independent food offers. • Building on local centres and places for locals and visitors to enjoy, stay longer and support other initiatives. Projects with Long Term Value - Adventure Tourism?

Adventure Tourism Opportunity

The Adventure Tourism sector is growing rapidly, and Scotland has a world class product. Adventure Tourism is High Value, High Growth, Sustainable Tourism according to Wild Scotland, the body representing adventure and nature tourism operators in Scotland.

In previous windfarm consultation exercises, the development of an Adventure Tourism destination on the M74, catalysed by the wind farm infrastructure in the Douglas Valley has been suggested – a South Lanarkshire Glentress was one potential concept.

Through this consultation 3R and SPR are keen to understand if the development of an Adventure Tourism destination in the local area, with strong links to existing local centres, is something which finds broader support amongst the local communities?

Any decisions on funding adventure tourism infrastructure and the location of any such infrastructure, within villages or within wind farm areas, are decisions for the future Community Benefit Management Body and subject to landowner agreements etc. At this stage we are looking to establish whether the Adventure Tourism concept is considered, in principle, worthy of further exploration as a means of adding a new dimension to the local area’s tourism offering, enhancing its appeal to the day visitor and mini-escape market. Summary and Next Steps

Feedback

We would be grateful if you could take a few moments to complete the short survey attached to help shape the proposals for the management and deliveryof the community benefit funds from our windfarms currently under development in the Douglas Valley.

Feedback from this consultation will be used to help inform further discussions and decisions to be made around the management and delivery arrangements for the community benefit funds.

We look forward to developing long-term partnerships with the local community to deliver a range of projects which have the potential to create a very positive and lasting legacy for the local area.

Thank you for participating in the initial discussions. Thank You for Participating

This is the start of consultation on Community Benefits.

Thank you for all your comments on community benefit fund options and thoughts on possible projects & priorities.

Our next steps will be to collate all comments to allow further review and consultation on next steps. WINDFARMS IN THE DOUGLAS VALLEY COMMUNITY BENEFIT CONSULTATION APPENDIX – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Purpose of Appendix Introduction

This Appendix intends to provide additional information on each of the three Management and Delivery Options explored for the Community Benefit Funds, and includes some Case Study examples.

This information has been compiled by Ironside Farrar Limited in consultation with South Lanarkshire Council (SLC), ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), 3R Energy (3RE), local stakeholders, and third party fund administration providers.

Maps showing outline Area of Benefit options are indicative only at this stage until we are certain as to which projects will be delivered and when. We welcome your feedback on these options and any other suggestions. Option A ‐ South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) Renewable Energy Fund (REF) Element Summary Description of Option • South Lanarkshire Council manage a wide range of Community Benefit Schemes (39 windfarms within South Lanarkshire) under the umbrella of the REF and have a well established mechanism for managing community benefits that is flexible and responsive to local needs. • The REF works on the basis of Grants – Main Grant Scheme (up to 50% Costs) and Small Grant Scheme (100% Costs) • Local Applications ‐ Community groups, social enterprises, trusts, public organisations and not for profit organisations within 10km of contributing windfarm are eligible to apply. Funds held by? • Community Benefit Funds are paid to SLC by windfarm operators and SLC is the accountable body. • All approved grants reported to committee and publicly annually. How are Funds • SLC manage and administer the fund and invest funds within 10km of the windfarm. administered? • REF Funding Framework sets out clear themes and priorities. The four broad themes for grants are: ‐ Stronger Communities: (community support /fuel poverty/mobility/ young people/older people/ etc ‐ Prosperous Communities: (education /training /Small Business‐3rd sector support/ tourism/employment ‐ Healthy Communities: (active lifestyles / sport/leisure independent living / disability / etc) ‐ Sustainable Environmental Communities: ( protect & enhance environment/ energy / climate change) • Grant applications to the REF are currently appraised, consulted on and scored by SLC officers. • Grants below £20k are approved by Head of Service grants above £20k are approved at committee Local Representation? • Projects identified within Local Community Action plans and with strong local support are prioritised for funding Local Project Officer? • Supported by a dedicated SLC officer working with/consultation with local groups. • SLC has advised a willingness to amend/extend and support different arrangements to the existing. Examples of Projects • Over the period 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 the Council has made awards of £5.08m from Supported the Community Benefit Funds to 366 projects. Administration Costs? • Percentage charge based on value of the grants awarded. Option A – Draft Area of Community Benefit?

Community benefits for projects included in the REF are geographically limited to 10km from the project windfarm boundaries. The REF funding area for the windfarms shown would be as indicated in blue. Example – SLC REF Funded Projects

A range of projects have and are being funded in the Douglas Valley though the REF. The management arrangements are as Option A with the local authority as fund administrator.

The Council has encouraged 3R /SPR to explore how best to deliver Community Benefit Funds and the Council is open to working with the promoters and the community through the current REF (Option A) or through a specific Douglas Valley Investment Fund (Option B).

Renewable Energy Fund Projects 2019/2020 in the Douglas Valley

Project Organization Type of Group Project Details Grant Award Location Douglas Victoria Bowling club Sport Douglas Douglas Victoria Bowling Club 15,000.00 Douglas Community Projects Group Community Douglas The Good Sir James Statue Project £9,848.00 Micro‐Grants (£5000) were also Douglasdale Recreation Environment Community Douglas Gig In The Grounds 2019 4,438.85 awarded during 2019/20 to Access and Leisure Group Douglas Community Development Company Community Douglas Website Development 3,000.00 Coalburn Community Council, Douglasdale Recreation Environment Douglas Community Council, Community Douglas ATV Core Paths Project 10,000.00 Access and Leisure Group Lesmahagow Community Glespin Community Group Scio Community Glespin Toilet Refurb 9,184.00 Council and Rigside and The Rural Development Trust Trust Douglas Water Wards 3 and 4, community directed transport 71,881.50 Douglas Water (Residents The Rural Development Trust Trust Douglas Water Make Your Way 19,900.00 Association). Loudon Pond and Ponfeigh Glen Association Community Rigside Loudon Pond Site Management Plan 9,996.00

Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society Charity Coalburn Village Hub Exterior Upgrade 28,339.40

Coalburn Silver Band Community Coalburn New Uniforms 2,000.00

Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society Charity Coalburn Various Course set up costs 9,263.00

Blackwood Estate Community Association Community Lesmahagow Feasibility Study: Loch Wood 7,377.00 Douglasdale Recreation Environment Community Douglas Feasibility Study: Asset Purchase 10,000.00 Access and Leisure Group Option B –Douglas Valley Investment Fund Element Summary Description of Option • Douglas Valley Investment Fund (DVIF) would be a new arrangement established by SLC, in partnership with local communities, with a specific focus on developing a Strategic Plan for the local area which has ambitious projects and sustainable job creation at its core. • SLC would administer the fund with decisions on funding priorities and individual funding applications made by a Local Panel. The Local Panel would be made up of representatives from the local communities (see draft area of benefit map in next slide). • Projects from across the Douglas Valley within an agreed geographical area would be eligible to apply for support from this fund. Fund apportionment to be considered relative to proximity to individual windfarms. • The DVIF Local Panel would review and approve applications to the Fund. • Community stakeholders would work in partnership with the Council to deliver projects. • SLC staff would support the local panel to develop the Strategic Investment plan for the area. • SLC staff would coordinate with other funding to “lever” additional investment and link to other funds job training and Rural Economic Development. Funds held by? • South Lanarkshire Council. • SLC would produce annual reports on accounts. How are Funds administered? • DVIF Local Panel would consider applications on a regular basis throughout the year for projects across the Douglas Valley area. • Funding would be targeted to projects identified through Community Action Plans and an overarching Strategic Plan for the local area. • Funds intervention % and grant levels set and agreed by the local panel and option for revenue or multi annual grant awards considered by the panel. Local Representation? • Representatives form local communities within the area of benefit would be elected onto the DVIF decision making Panel for fixed term periods. Local Project Officer? • Delivered by dedicated SLC officer/s, supporting project development the panel and strategic investments projects. Examples of Projects Supported • As this would be a new arrangement, we are keen to understand how you feel priorities should be determined. Administration Costs? • Charges for administration would be agreed – assume similar to current REF charges. Option B – Draft Area of Community Benefit?

Note ‐ should one or more of the windfarms shown not proceed, the proposed area of benefit would need to be amended accordingly.

Community benefit area for DVIF is proposed to reflect Community Council boundaries within which the windfarms are located, plus Rigside & Douglas Water. This area is indicated in blue. Option C – Douglas Valley Community Benefit Company Element Summary Description of Option • A new Community Benefit Company would be established. • The Company would have a Memorandum & Articles of Association. • It is proposed that the Company would be run by a Local Board with third party support to manage day‐to‐day delivery with the possibility of appointing dedicated project officer(s). • The Company would engage and work across the community to develop a Strategic Plan setting objectives and priorities for funding. • Projects from across the Douglas Valley within an agreed geographical area would be eligible to apply for support from this fund (see draft area of benefit map on next slide). Fund apportionment to be considered relative to proximity to individual windfarms. • The Local Board would review and approve funding applications and be supported by a third party administration organisation who manage the day‐to‐day administration of funds. Funds held by? • Community Benefit Company. • Company would appoint accountants to produce annual reports on accounts. How are Funds administered? • Company administration and grant‐making typically provided by third party support. • Range of options including ‘calls for projects’ where applications are submitted by individuals / groups in the agreed fund area. • Local Board would review and make decisions on what projects to fund during each funding round. • Funding can be across a range of scales from micro‐grants (<£500) to larger scale projects.

Local Representation? • Representatives form local communities within the area of benefit would be elected onto the Local Board for fixed term periods. Local Project Officer? • The Company could employ a local development officer(s) in addition to third party support if considered beneficial to support delivery of Strategic Plan. Examples of Projects Supported • As this would be a new organisation, we are keen to understand how you feel priorities should be determined. Administration Costs? • Percentage charge or agreed cost for third party support depending on level of support required. • Employment costs of project officer(s) if appointed. • Accountancy/legal costs. Option C – Draft Area of Community Benefit?

Note ‐ should one or more of the windfarms shown not proceed, the proposed area of benefit would need to be amended accordingly.

Community benefit area for Community Benefit Company is proposed to reflect Community Council boundaries within which the windfarms are located, plus Rigside & Douglas Water. This area is indicated in blue. Case Studies ‐ Community Benefit Funds

Whitelee Windfarm Haghsaw & Extension Windfarm Kilgallioch Windfarm

Administration – Community benefit Administration – South Lanarkshire Administration – Kilgallioch Community funds are paid to South Lanarkshire, East Council administers and chairs the Benefit Company (KCBC) is a private and East Councils, Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Community company limited by guarantee without who each administer separately through Trust, a registered charity. Trustees are share capital. The Board is made up of 12 their own Renewable Energy Funds (REF). Local Authority Councillors and local representatives. The Board has A Legal Agreement required the representatives from the local appointed a specialist third party to assist formation of an Access Planning Group communities. in managing the administration process, (WAPG) to deliver and implement an Application Process ‐ The Trust meets produce annual spend reports and Access Action Plan and Whitelee four times a year to consider manage the fund website. Countryside Ranger Service (WCRS), applications and award funds to achieve Application Process ‐ Two funding employed by East Renfrewshire Council the advancement of education, the rounds are held each year. The specialist but paid for by the community benefit relief of poverty and other purposes third party raises awareness about the fund. beneficial to the residents of Coalburn, fund, funding rounds, assists applicants Application Process ‐ Each local Douglas and Glespin and its surrounding with the application process, and authority receives applications for area. supports the Board at meetings. funding through their own REF and Value ‐ c. £812,000 to date to a wide Value – c. £3.7m to date. considers and awards funds in relation to variety of projects. the priorities that have been set out. Value – c. £11.6m to date across the three local authority areas. Example Projects ‐ Whitelee Windfarm

Whitelee Windfarm is a successful example of a community benefit scheme administered by three Local Authorities with projects selected for funding that have a high level of local involvement. The fund has to date distributed c. £11.6m to local projects.

• Investment in outdoor recreation and tourism through Whitelee Access Planning Group (WAPG). Three local authorities have contributed towards the cost of a Whitelee Project Supervisor and three Whitelee Countryside Rangers (WCRS), who work to promote responsible access within the windfarm.

• Rangers host free events throughout the year including guided woodland walks, pond searches, learning wildflower apothecary, children’s summer holiday clubs like ‘Boggy Beasties’ and a weekly guided buggy walk for parents and their babies.

• In 2014 SPR and the landowner facilitated the development of 4km of new mountain biking trails and picnic shelters on site, funded and delivered by East Renfrewshire Council. The WAPG have plans for provision of an adjacent toilet block and for establishing viewpoints, alternative car parking and a children’s playpark on site.

• The WCRS also assist with third party events including annual ‘Run the Blades’ running festival as well as numerous smaller charity events such as sponsored dog walks, equestrian endurance treks and Duke of Award activities.

• The Visitor Centre at Whitelee was established as a Condition of the Planning Consent but has been operating since September 2009 (operated by Glasgow Science Centre) and has welcomed over 815,000 visitors to date. Example Projects – Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Community Trust

SPR provides the community benefit funds for Hagshaw Hill Windfarm 16MW and Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Extension 26MW to South Lanarkshire Council (SLC). The original Hagshaw Hill Windfarm has contributed £390,000 to date and annual payments have increased over the years to just over £31,000 in 2020. The extension is paid at £1,000/MW, index linked, and has contributed just over £385,000 to date. Funds are paid to SLC who administer the fund through the Hagshaw Hill Windfarm Community Trust, a registered charity, which is chaired by SLC. Trustees are Local Authority Councillors and representatives from the local communities. The Trust meets four times a year to consider applications and award funds to achieve the advancement of education, the relief of poverty and other purposes beneficial to the residents of Coalburn, Douglas and Glespin and its surrounding area.

• £70,000 towards equipment, uniforms and instruments for the Coalburn Pipe Band, Silver Band and Bronze Band • £20,000 towards the Foundation to deliver the Rediscover the Douglas Water campaign • £14,300 towards the delivery of Gala Days in Coalburn, Douglas and Glespin • £46,000 towards upgrades, refurbishment and CCTV for the Coalburn Miners Welfare • £3,000 towards youth activities such as football, Brownies and Rainbows groups Example Projects – Kilgallioch Windfarm

Kilgallioch Community Benefit Company is a successful example of a community led organisation administering community benefit funding. It distributes the funds from ScottishPower Renewables Kilgallioch Windfarm for community projects located within or directly benefiting Wigtownshire, Dumfries & Galloway and South Carrick,SouthAyrshire.

Funding decisions are made by the Company’s Board, which is made up of twelve local volunteer Directors elected by the company members. Up to eight members are nominated by each of the Community Councils of Old Luce, New Luce, Kirkcowan and Barrhill.

https://www.kilgallioch.co.uk/