SPR Consultation
LCC
Added at 20:19 on 25 October 2023
SPR Consultation for the Hagshaw Energy Cluster community benefit funds
LCC can now provide an update on the Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) consultation on use of the community benefit funds from the Hagshaw Cluster of windfarms.
The SPR consultation document presented two options for management and use of these funds:
Option A - The Douglas Valley Advisory Group
Option B - a new trust or community interest company independent from South Lanarkshire Council
As LCC are, and will continue to be, represented on both groups, we've sought to keep a neutral position on this decision and committed to go with the favoured option of the community following the consultation and voting period. Its our belief that both options are capable of delivering strategic regional and local projects that will benefit the four communities.
Voting was open to everyone and included the facility to vote at the consultation day, across a number of venues in Lesmahagow using paper voting forms, and online via our website.
There was, as expected, strong support for both options, however the vote of the community has concluded in favour of Option B
Vote:
Option A: 123
Option B: 212
Next steps:
LCC will submit our response to SPR today (deadline extended until today) in favour of Option B and will wait for the SPR response following their receipt of the responses from all four community council areas.
A further meeting is scheduled with SPR in November regardless of the result and we'd expect DVAG reps will also meet again shortly to discuss the next steps.
We'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Lesmahagow area who attended the consultation event, engaged in debate and voted, as well as the businesses and groups who helped support the consultation.
TL;DR There is a clear majority for Option B