Welcome to our website for the Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub
At Belltown Power we are committed to working with local communities and stakeholders to responsibly develop renewable energy projects that help to deliver our Scottish climate change targets and ensure a green and sustainable future for generations to come.
Project Proposal
The proposal for Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub on land 3.3km east of New Luce, was lodged with Dumfries & Galloway Council on 11 December 2024, the reference number for the application is 24/2545/FUL.
The project consists of 5 wind turbines with tip heights ranging between 200m and 230m and a total generating capacity of approximately 33 MW, in addition to a battery energy storage facility with a capacity up to 3.8 MW. The 145 hectare proposed site currently comprises of open moorland which will continue to be used as grazing land throughout the 40 year operational lifespan of the site.
This wind energy hub will contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy targets and will help balance the grid as the UK continues to decarbonise. Habitat enhancement measures included with the project will ensure the biodiversity of the site will increase if the site goes ahead.
The proposal has been lodged following an 18-month long public consultation that included a series of public exhibitions and meetings with community councils, other local community organisations, local businesses and residents. We have also consulted with statutory bodies including NatureScot, Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
What’s next...
Belltown Power would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who got in touch online, by post, or came along in person to our public exhibitions to find out more about Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub. The feedback we received was incredibly helpful when forming our final designs. Now that the planning application has been submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council, there is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on it before it is determined.
You can view the planning application documents, keep track of the latest developments and submit a comment on the application by clicking here, or by searching for the application reference: 24/2545/FUL on the Dumfries and Galloway online planning portal. The deadline for formal representations is 9th March 2025, however please note that requests for extension may be granted and submissions after this date may be considered.
All the planning application documents are also available to download in the section below. Hard copies of these documents are available to view in person in Stranraer, at Ashwood House, Sun Street, Stranraer, DG9 7JJ, during 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday.
- Chapter 1 - Introduction (237.86 KB)
- Chapter 2 - Description of Development (266.61 KB)
- Chapter 3 - Site Selection and Design Strategy (228.67 KB)
- Chapter 4 - EIA Approach and Methodology (217.17 KB)
- Chapter 5 - Planning and Energy Policy Context (206.61 KB)
- Chapter 6 - Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (812.02 KB)
- Chapter 7 - Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Peat (842.14 KB)
- Chapter 8 - Ecology (369.08 KB)
- Chapter 9 - Ornithology (293.80 KB)
- Chapter 10 - Cultural Heritage (593.69 KB)
- Chapter 11 - Noise and Vibration (859.16 KB)
- Chapter 12 - Access, Traffic and Transport (411.55 KB)
- Chapter 13 - Other Issues (674.32 KB)
- Chapter 14 - Schedule of Environmental Commitments (210.09 KB)
- Figure 1.1 - Site Location plan (8.20 MB)
- Figure 1.2 - Site Boundary and Development Area (2.15 MB)
- Figure 2.1 - Site Layout (3.94 MB)
- Figure 2.2 - Typical Turbine Tip Heights (653.63 KB)
- Figure 2.3 - Typical External Turbine Kiosk (750.18 KB)
- Figure 2.4 - Typical Turbine Foundation (746.70 KB)
- Figure 2.5 - Typical Crane Hardstanding (755.81 KB)
- Figure 2.6 - Typical Cable Trench (747.03 KB)
- Figure 2.7 - Proposed Substation and Battery Storage Layout (662.34 KB)
- Figure 2.9 - Typical Cut and Floating Track Details (831.89 KB)
- Figure 2.10 - Typical Watercourse Crossing Methods (793.64 KB)
- Figure 2.8 - Proposed Substation and Battery Storage Elevations (648.11 KB)
- Figure 2.11 - Proposed Construction Compound (751.74 KB)
- Figure 3.1 - Site Constraints (5.12 MB)
- Figure 3.2 - Design Layouts A-D (5.98 MB)
- Figure 6.1 - Site Location Plan (4.82 MB)
- Figure 6.2 - Bareground Zone of Theoretical Visibility (Blade Tip, 45km) (7.30 MB)
- Figure 6.3 - Bareground Zone of Theoretical Visibility (Turbine Hub, 45km) (7.17 MB)
- Figure 6.4 - NatureScot Landscape Character Types (45km) (2.79 MB)
- Figure 6.5 - NatureScot Landscape Character Types (15km) (4.73 MB)
- Figure 6.6 Landscape Designations and Recreational Routes (45km) (3.14 MB)
- Figure 6.7 - Landscape Designations and Recreational Routes (15km) (5.29 MB)
- Figure 6.8 - Cumulative Sites Location Plan (45km) (8.95 MB)
- Figure 6.9 - Cumulative Zone of Theoretical Visibility (Operational Sites) (5.84 MB)
- Figure 6.10 - Bareground Zone of Theoretical Visibility (Light Intensity, 200 Candela) (6.54 MB)
- Figure 7.1 - Hydrological Setting (2.13 MB)
- Figure 7.2 - National Soil Map of Scotland (1.26 MB)
- Figure 7.3 - SNH Carbon and Peatland Map 2016 (6.93 MB)
- Figure 7.4 - Superficial Geology (8.41 MB)
- Figure 7.5 - Bedrock Geology (9.59 MB)
- Figure 7.6 - Hydrological Features (6.62 MB)
- Figure 7.7 - Hydrogeological Regime (5.58 MB)
- Figure 7.8 Potential Ground Water Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (6.15 MB)
- Figure 7.9 Peat Depth of Penetration (6.58 MB)
- Figure 7.10 - Estimated Peat Depth (7.25 MB)
- Figure 7.11 - Peat Restoration Areas (5.91 MB)
- Figure 8.1 - Ecology Survey Areas (2.40 MB)
- Figure 8.2 - Desk Study Areas (9.66 MB)
- Figure 8.3 - Phase 1 Habitat Survey Results (2.54 MB)
- Figure 8.4 - National Vegetation Classification Survey Results (2.81 MB)
- Figure 8.5 - Areas of Guidance-Stated Potential Groundwater Dependency (2.82 MB)
- Figure 8.6 - Protected Species Survey Results (2.41 MB)
- Figure 8.7 - Bat Survey Results (2.40 MB)
- Figure 8.8 - Habitat Management Plan Area (4.01 MB)
- Figure 9.1 - Ornithology Survey Areas (4.96 MB)
- Figure 9.2 - Ornithology Study Areas (4.25 MB)
- Figure 9.3 - Flight Activity from Viewpoint Watches (2021 Breeding Season) (4.25 MB)
- Figure 9.4 - Flight Activity from Viewpoint Watches (2020-2021 non-breeding season and September 2021) (4.25 MB)
- Figure 9.5 - Breeding Bird Territories (4.24 MB)
- Figure 9.6 - Other Flight Activity (non-VP) (4.25 MB)
- Figure 10.11 - Known Heritage Assets within the Site (3.80 MB)
- Figure 10.12 - Known Heritage Assets within the Developable Area (2.45 MB)
- Figure 10.13 - Heritage Assets within the 2km and 5km Outer Study Areas and Zone of Theoretical Visibility (3.63 MB)
- Figure 10.14 - Heritage Assets within the 10km and 20km Outer Study Areas (1.77 MB)
- Figure 11.1 - Receptor Location Map (938.43 KB)
- Figure 11.2 - Cumulative Search Area Map (997.00 KB)
- Figure 11.3 Baseline Wind Farm Monitoring Locations (898.06 KB)
- Figure 11.4 - Baseline Battery Energy Storage System Monitoring Locations (790.25 KB)
- Figure 11.5 - Site Specific Noise Contour Map (765.09 KB)
- Figure 11.6 - Existing Wind Turbine Noise Contour Map (793.13 KB)
- Figure 11.7 - Cumulative Wind Turbine Noise Contour Map (807.28 KB)
- Figure 11.8 - Battery Energy Storage System Noise Contour Map (584.33 KB)
- Figure 13.1 - Shadow Flicker Study Area (8.61 MB)
- Figure 13.2 - Shadow Flicker Results (8.99 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 1 of 8 (6.72 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 2 of 8 (9.30 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 3 of 8 (9.54 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 4 of 8 (9.92 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 5 of 8 (10.11 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 6 of 8 (9.98 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 7 of 8 (10.19 MB)
- LVIA Visualisations - Part 8 of 8 (419.04 KB)
- Technical Appendix 2.1 - outline Construction Environmental Management Plan (396.00 KB)
- Technical Appendix 6.1 - Landscape Character Type Descriptions (434.38 KB)
- Technical Appendix 6.2 - Designations and Classified Land (218.35 KB)
- Technical Appendix 6.3 - Night-time Aviation Lighting Impact Assessment (202.96 KB)
- Technical Appendix 6.4 - Residential Visual Amenity Assessment (289.68 KB)
- Technical Appendix 6.5 - Methodology (276.58 KB)
- Technical Appendix 6.6 - Viewpoint Assessment (216.86 KB)
- Technical Appendix 7.1 - Good Practice Methods (165.58 KB)
- Technical Appendix 7.2 - Peat Depth Survey Report (9.45 MB)
- Technical Appendix 7.3 - outline Peat Management Plan (1.65 MB)
- Technical Appendix 7.4 - Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessment (7.69 MB)
- Technical Appendix 8.1 - Desk Study and Legal Context (659.43 KB)
- Technical Appendix 8.2 - Habitats and Vegetation Survey Report (1.99 MB)
- Technical Appendix 8.3 - Protected Species Survey Report (1.34 MB)
- Technical Appendix 8.4 - Bat Survey Report (847.19 KB)
- Technical Appendix 8.5 - outline Biodiversity Enhancement Plan (642.72 KB)
- Technical Appendix 8.6 - Shadow Habitat Regulations Appraisal (712.20 KB)
- Technical Appendix 8.7 - outline Habitat Management Plan (577.91 KB)
- Technical Appendix 9.1 - Ornithology Technical Report (1.15 MB)
- Technical Appendix 10.1 - Cultural Heritage Baseline and Stage 1 Setting Assessment (3.42 MB)
- Technical Appendix 10.2 - Gazetteer of Heritage Assets (2.01 MB)
- Technical Appendix 11.1 - Noise and Vibration Appendices (974.49 KB)
- Technical Appendix 12.1 - Transport Assessment, Part 1 of 2 (10.18 MB)
- Technical Appendix 12.1 - Transport Assessment, Part 2 of 2 (9.11 MB)
- Technical Appendix 13.1 - Carbon Assessment Tool (260.79 KB)
- Technical Appendix 13.2 - Aviation Lighting and Mitigation (2.12 MB)
Timeline
Jun 23
First Consultation Events
Jul 23 - Feb 24
Preparation of Planning Submission
Mar 24
Second Consultation Events
Apr 24 – Nov 24
Finalise Planning Documents
Dec 24
Planning Application Submitted
Q4 25
Expected Planning Determination
Q1 26
Start Construction
(Subject to Consent)
Q2 28
Target Commercial Operation Date
The Climate Crisis
We are facing an unprecedented global climate crisis caused by the use of fossil fuels to power our societies. In the past 50 years, weather induced disasters have increased 5-fold. [1]
Necessary Actions
CO2 ppm have risen by 28% in the past 50 years.[2] We need to urgently cut greenhouse gas emissions to prevent irreversible temperature rises and nature loss. As electrification of transport and heating continues our demand for electricity will rise. It is vital we meet this increase, and existing demand, from renewable sources.
Project Contribution
Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub has the potential to make a sizeable contribution to the decarbonisation of our electricity system and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Stats: the project could produce enough energy to power 30,000 homes annually [3].
This project is an opportunity for your community to contribute to tackling climate change in a significant way through hosting and part-owning a modern wind energy hub.
“We must go into emergency mode against the climate crisis. We need an avalanche of action.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres
"If we don't act now, it'll be too late. Every day that goes by in which we don't do something about it is a day wasted."
Sir David Attenborough
- WMO, Weather-related disasters
- Statista, Historic average carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, Ian Tiseo
- RenewableUK, Statistics explained
Community – groundbreaking ownership offering
Community Benefit
We are committed to providing £5,000/MW (index linked) Community Benefit for the lifetime of the project. Depending on local need, we can enable communities to front load some - or all - of this.
Feedback from our public consultations showed strong support for an energy discount scheme (EDS), making up 70% of all suggestions made. Based on this feedback, we propose to use a large portion of the community benefit fund on an EDS, with the remaining money going to fund community projects in the area, if the wind farm is consented.
Belltown’s Energy Discount Scheme (EDS): how it would work
Each household and business within approximately 10km of the site (see map below) will be invited to participate in Belltown’s EDS. Once a property has applied to the EDS, a £150 (index linked) discount will be deducted from their energy bill each year. The EDS will operate for the full 40 year operational lifespan of the project.
Belltown will use all remaining funds after the EDS, to fund local community projects. The community benefit fund is expected to total around £60,000 per year and will be distributed between existing local community groups.
Community Ownership
At Belltown Power we fundamentally believe that renewable energy projects should benefit the communities that host them. Communities local to the Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub could benefit through our groundbreaking community ownership scheme.
On top of the community benefit fund already outlined above, Belltown would also donate 1% equity in the project for free, with an additional 4% purchasable at cost and further ownership at market value. This community ownership opportunity ensures the community has a direct stake in the project.
Case Study
Near to our Tirgwynt site in Powys, Wales the Carno Primary School faced closure due to the condition of temporary buildings they were using. Due to our flexible community benefit offering we were able to substitute some of the annual payments with a larger, upfront payment which enabled the construction of a new school building allowing the local school to continue to serve the community for future generations.
Education - inspiring the next generation
We believe passionately in education and have been running the Belltown Education Programme since 2015 with the aim of inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists and climate emergency tacklers.
Local Environment
Everyone at Belltown Power is involved in the renewable energy industry through a desire to tackle the climate crisis and nature emergency. In addition to powering over 30,000 homes annually and displacing over 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the life time of the project* we will implement a comprehensive and tailored Ecological Management Plan in order to ensure that the Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub delivers a net ecological benefit through careful habitat design, creation and management.
* Figures based on a wind energy hub comprising 5 turbines at 7.2 MW for 40 years and recognised assumptions stated here.
Opportunities for Local businesses and Suppliers
Belltown Power is committed to providing material benefit to the communities that host them. To ensure this happens we will use local supply chain where they meet the project’s HSEQ requirements and where they are within 10% of the best quote tendered.
There are a wide range of services and suppliers required to build and operate a wind farm including but not limited to:
-
Construction, drainage and fencing contractors,
-
Materials suppliers and building merchants,
-
Plant hire and security,
-
Fuel providers and waste management, and
-
Local hospitality providers and car hire.
To understand the full range of opportunities available please register on our supplier database and we will get in touch.
Meet the Buyer
In the future, we will be holding “Meet the Buyer” events where you can meet the project team, we can learn more about your business and we can discuss opportunities to work together.
If you believe you can supply our development or simply want to understand more we would love to hear from you. All you need to do is register above or email us and one of our team will be in contact to collect further details and answer any questions.
Get involved
At Belltown Power, we recognise a fundamental part of good project development is consultation to ensure local communities and stakeholders are given the opportunity to provide feedback and are kept informed of a project’s progress.
If you have a specific question, please email the team at craignab@belltownpower.com
Get in touch
You can also get in touch directly via the below form. Feel free to leave a question or comment, register for project updates or as a local supplier, or request a call back from one of our team.
Get in touch
News
Local residents are being invited to view plans for a new Wind Energy Hub to the east of New Luce. The plans, from Belltown Power, will be on display for three days at public exhibitions and the company are keen to get local feedback. The Belltown team will be on hand to answer any questions local residents may have and to gather views on the proposal. The exhibitions will include detailed information about the project including visualisations from several viewpoints.
Commenting on the consultation, Fraser Shepherd, Senior Asset Manager at Belltown Power said, “This is our first consultation event and we are keen to hear what local residents think of our plans for the Craig Nab development. We are trying to reach out to as many residents as we can to get their views. We’re holding in-person exhibitions in Newton Stewart, Stranraer, New Luce and Glen Luce as well as a virtual exhibition on our website and we have posted out an invitation and feedback form to households across the area.”
The site currently comprises grazing land. The project will consist of up to 5 turbines with tip heights ranging from 200-230m. We will work together with the local community and the landowners – Stair Estates – to deliver a project that maximises local benefits and clean energy, whilst sympathetically protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
A scoping request was submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council in November 2022.
Commenting further, Fraser Shepherd, said, “We are fully committed to a full community benefit package that includes £5K per MW installed per year for the 40-year lifetime of the project. We’ve also developed a ground-breaking community ownership package that enables local communities to take an ownership stake so that they’re really invested in the project and so it brings tangible benefits to the heart of the community.”
The online virtual exhibition will run on the website from 12 June showing all the exhibition materials and allowing residents to leave feedback up to 7th July 2023.
Public Exhibitions
We would like to invite you to join us in-person to meet the team and ask any questions
• 13 June: McMillan Hall Newton Stewart, 1000-1300hrs
• 13 June: New Luce Village Hall, 1500-1900hrs
• 14 June: Stranraer Millenium Centre, 1000-1300hrs
• 14 June: Glen Luce Public Hall, 1500-1900hrs
Come join us at one of these events and see how your community can contribute to tackling climate change in a significant way through hosting and part-owning a modern wind energy hub. If you're not able to come along you can view the virtual exhibition and fill in a Feedback form.
Our second round of public consultations takes place in March 2024. There will be in-person drop in exhibitions held at:
- 26 March: Stranraer Millennium Centre, 0915-1245hrs
- 26 March: Glenluce Public Hall,1430-1900hrs
- 27 March: Newton Stewart McMillan Hall, 0915-1245hrs
- 27 March: New Luce Village Hall, 1430-1900hrs
Please come along and find out more about the proposal, ask any questions you may have, leave feedback and tell us how you'd like to see the community benefit fund used. There is now also a virtual exhibition online for anyone who isn't able to make it along in person.
A proposal for Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub on land 3.3km east of New Luce, has now been lodged with Dumfries & Galloway Council by Belltown Power UK Wind Limited (Belltown). The application has been validated by the Council and is now live on the Council’s website ref 24/2545/FUL.
The proposal is for five wind turbines with tip heights ranging between 200m and 230m and a total generating capacity of approximately 33 MW, in addition to a battery energy storage facility with a capacity up to 3.8 MW. The 145-hectare proposed site currently comprises open moorland which is used as grazing land.
This wind energy hub will contribute to Scotland’s renewable energy targets and will help balance the grid as the UK continues to decarbonise.
The proposal has been lodged following an 18-month long public consultation that included a series of public exhibitions and meetings with community councils, other local community organisations, local businesses and residents. Belltown has also consulted with statutory bodies including MOD, NatureScot, Historic Environment Scotland and Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
Some 81 people attended the public exhibitions held in June 2023 and March 2024 and another 103 visited the virtual exhibition on the website. Belltown received 123 feedback forms. Analysis of the feedback shows that 6 in 10 local people (62%) agreed that the proposed site is suitable for a wind farm. Support for onshore wind more generally is strong in the area, with 71% of respondents expressing support for onshore wind farms.
A project that maximises local benefits and clean energy
Speaking about the project, Fraser Shepherd, Development Manager at Belltown, said, “We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to respond to our consultation and to give us their views over the last 18 months. This has been invaluable in helping us shape our final proposals and in understanding local people’s priorities. We will work together with the local community and the landowners to deliver a project that maximises local benefits and clean energy, whilst sympathetically protecting and enhancing the natural environment.”
Belltown will provide the local community with £5,000 per MW installed per year (index linked) of community benefit for the lifetime of the project. Feedback from the public consultation exercise showed strong support for an energy discount scheme (EDS), making up 70% of all suggestions made. Based on this feedback, Belltown proposes to use a large portion of the community benefit fund on an EDS, with the remaining money going to fund community projects in the area, if the wind farm is consented.
The electricity discount scheme: how it would work
Each household and business within approximately 10km of the site will be invited to participate in Belltown’s EDS. Once a property has applied to the EDS, a £150 (index linked) discount will be deducted from their energy bill each year. The EDS will operate for the full 40-year operational lifespan of the project.
Belltown will use all remaining funds after the EDS to provide a community benefit fund of around £60,000 per year for the lifetime of the project, to be distributed between existing local community groups.
The public consultations found that respondents would like the community benefit funds to be used to improve community facilities. A number of other respondents had ideas for how the project can enhance local biodiversity.
Discussions have already started with New Luce Community Council to determine how the community benefit fund might be administered, should the wind farm be consented.
A ground-breaking community ownership scheme
As the project progresses, Belltown will continue discussions about a potential community stake in the project. Belltown offers a ground-breaking Community Ownership scheme that can bring tangible benefits via the revenue generated by owning a stake in a renewable energy project. Local communities that host the wind energy hubs are offered 1% of the project ownership for free with a further 4% stake available to purchase at cost, once the project is operational.
Fraser Shepherd added; “At Belltown, we fundamentally believe that renewable energy projects should benefit the communities that host them and we look forward to continuing our discussions with local people about the benefits that this proposal can deliver, as the application progresses.”
Should the proposal be consented, Belltown will aim to start construction in 2027. The company offers a procurement policy that favours local contractors to ensure they and local suppliers benefit from the project.
Next steps for the planning application
The application will be determined by Dumfries & Galloway Council. Copies of the Non-Technical Summary and a digital copy of full planning application have been sent to New Luce, the host community council, with a full hard copy placed in Stranraer, at Ashwood House, Sun Street, Stranraer DG9 7JJ, available for public viewing. The submission and all the associated documents can be viewed on 24/2545/FUL | Craig Nab Wind Energy Hub or at www.craignabwindenergyhub.com
People now have until 09 March 2025 to make formal representations to Dumfries & Galloway Council about the proposal.
Key Facts
- Number of turbines: 5
- Size of turbines: maximum tip height of 230m
- Battery Storage: Plans to co-locate battery storage with the wind farm to maximise the use of the grid connection
- Lifespan: 40 years of operation
- Biodiversity Enhancement: 16 ha of degraded peatland on the site will be set aside and actively managed to enhance the biodiversity of the existing mire habitats. Furthermore, 500 m of native tree planting will be undertaken along the nearby Drumpail Burn to help protect and enhance the Special Area of Conservation that the burn is part of.
