Whitlee Access Network
Whitelee windfarm, due for completion in summer 2009, will be Europe’s largest on-shore windfarm with 140 turbines providing green energy for up to 200,000 homes. Covering an area of 55km2 of Whitelee Forest and Eaglesham Moor, the windfarm will straddle the borders of East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire.
As part of the negotiated community benefit the development will provide for improved recreational access throughout Whitelee and from the many communities which surround it. Building on over 80km of new access tracks at its core, the project will comprise a network of new or upgraded routes, improved car parking, signage and interpretation throughout the Whitelee area.
The project is being implemented by the Whitelee Access Planning Group (WAPG), comprising representatives from community groups, Scottish Power, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission and East Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils. Meeting agendas and minutes are available on request. An Access Action Plan is currently in development, and will be available to view via these pages from June 2008.
In addition to the access network, Scottish Power will shortly start construction of a bespoke Visitor Centre at Queenseat Hill, adjacent to the B764 to the southwest of Eaglesham. The Visitor Centre will include static and hands on displays, an education room, café and viewing platform.
Development of the windfarm has created a more diverse forest at Whitelee, with increased open space and greater diversity of woodland and non-woodland habitats. A Habitat Management Plan extending to more than 2500 hectares has been developed to enhance the habitat value of the site through the restoration of large areas of blanket bog and moorland habitat. Specific restoration work will aim to improve the site for breeding birds including merlin and black grouse.
For more information on the Whitelee Access project please contact:
Nick Prower
Whitelee Access Project Officer
Roads, Planning and Transportation
East Renfrewshire Council
2 Spiersbridge Way
Spiersbridge Business Park
Thornliebank
East Renfrewshire,
G46 8NG
Tel: 0141 577 3569