Wind farm proposed on former gold and lead mining land

A wind farm and battery energy storage system is being proposed for land once used for gold and lead mining in southern Scotland.

Renewco wants to build 21 turbines at its Ravengill development near Leadhills and Abington.

Although the development would be entirely located in South Lanarkshire, the local authority in Dumfries and Galloway is also being consulted due to the proximity of the plans.

Developers said it could put a minimum of £735,000 a year into a community benefit fund if it got the go ahead.

A statement submitted by the developers outlined the unusual past of the area.

"Historically, areas of the site were subject to lead and gold mining activity from the 16th to 20th Century," it said.

"Evidence of disused mines and mining-related assets are visible and adjacent to the site."

However, they highlighted that much of the surrounding area had more recently been turned over to turbines.

"There is extensive wind energy development within this part of southern Scotland," it added.

"There are several wind farms at various stages in the consenting process and operational wind farms within the surrounding landscape."