Deadline for Objections: 18th July 2025
A highly controversial application has been submitted to the Scottish Government for a vast multi-technology energy development in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. Known as the Lairdmannoch Energy Park (planning reference ECU00004900), the proposal covers a large swathe of land between Laurieston, Ringford, and Mossdale — an area known for its rural tranquillity, scenic value, and environmental sensitivity.
If approved, this development would industrialise a quiet corner of countryside with towering turbines, high-voltage battery infrastructure, and sprawling solar panels. It would introduce new fire, flooding, and pollution risks, place increased strain on rural roads, and worsen the cumulative pressure already being felt from other nearby developments.
The application is now live and open to public comment. This is your opportunity to formally object — and it must be done before the consultation deadline.
What is Being Proposed?
The Lairdmannoch Energy Park is not a simple wind farm. It is a large, complex development comprising multiple industrial energy technologies:
Nine wind turbines, each up to 200 metres high, dominating the local skyline
A large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), with associated fire and chemical risk
A solar PV array, covering open land in close proximity to homes and habitats
Multiple new access tracks, cabling routes, crane pads, substations, and control buildings
Infrastructure sited near public water supplies, including the Ringford well field, and local burns
Together, these components would transform this rural part of Galloway into an industrial energy hub — with long-term consequences for the landscape, environment, and local quality of life.
Why You Should Object
There are many serious concerns raised by this application, including:
Landscape and Visual Impact: The development would dramatically alter views across the region, including from popular walking routes, scenic lookouts, and rural homes.
Wildfire and BESS Risk: The proposed battery storage system introduces a known risk of thermal runaway, fire, and toxic emissions — with minimal detail provided on firewater containment or emergency response measures.
Ecological Harm: The site overlaps with sensitive habitats, including areas of peat, wetland, and woodland. Construction could disrupt protected species and degrade biodiversity.
Hydrological and Water Safety Concerns: The development is close to known public water infrastructure. Inadequate safeguards raise concerns about contamination and disruption to local supplies.
Cumulative Development Pressure: Lairdmannoch is part of a growing wave of industrial energy proposals in Dumfries and Galloway. This cumulative impact is not being properly assessed.
Planning Process Failures: There are inconsistencies in the consultation process and missing detail in key technical areas, including access route impacts, emergency planning, and carbon offsetting.
These issues, taken together, make a strong case for refusal. But to ensure this is taken seriously, it is essential that the public register their objections in large numbers.
Submit Your Objection Today
We’ve created a simple tool to help you submit a professionally worded objection to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
Visit: https://lairdmannoch.object.now
You can review all the key risks and concerns, personalise your objection if you wish, and submit it directly to the relevant decision-makers. It takes just a few minutes — but can make a lasting difference.
Time Is Running Out
The public consultation period is limited. Once closed, objections may no longer be accepted. Don’t wait. Use your voice while you still can.
