The Planning Applications Committee of Dumfries and Galloway Council met on Thursday 25 September 2025 to discuss a range of planning applications. Councillors approved plans for alterations to existing wind farms, transport hubs, and a water treatment works, while also refusing an application for a new dwelling and noting the withdrawal of an application for a restaurant.

• Fell Wind Farm Applications
• Former Lochryan Hotel Application
• Corbridge House Application
• Fleet Vale Car Park Application
• Dashwood Square Bus Stops and Car Parking Application
• Black Esk Water Treatment Works Application
• Margree Wind Farm Application
• Seafield Farm Application
• St John's Scottish Episcopal Church Application
• Kirkinner Primary School Application

Fell Wind Farm Applications

The committee considered two applications relating to the Fell Wind Farm, located between Blackcraig Wind Farm and Loch Urr, 7km south-west of Moniaive. Both applications sought permission for the erection and 35-year operation of a wind farm comprising nine turbines, formation of access tracks, borrow pits, battery storage, temporary construction compound, substation and associated infrastructure, and both were at variance with conditions 2 and 13 of application 22/0471/S42¹.

The first application, 25/0539/S42, sought to remove turbine 3 and increase the tip height of turbine 1 from 180 metres to 200 metres. The Governance Officer read out a statement from Trevor Proctor on behalf of Help Save Mochrum Fell Group, an objector. The committee approved the application, with Councillor Pauline Drysdale requesting her dissent be recorded. Councillor Drysdale's motion to refuse the application, based on detrimental environmental impacts due to the increased turbine height and conflict with the Dumfries and Galloway Windfarm Landscape Sensitivity Study (DGWLSS), failed to find a seconder.

The second application, 25/0647/S42, sought to vary conditions 2 and 13 to allow changes to the ancillary infrastructure outwith the consented micrositing allowance and to increase the stated micrositing allowance to 130m to facilitate the development of the wind turbines. The committee was advised that revised conditions 2 and 13 had been circulated in advance of the meeting. The Governance Officer again read out a statement from Trevor Proctor on behalf of Help Save Mochrum Fell Group, an objector. The committee approved the application, with conditions 2 and 13 amended in accordance with the wording in the supplementary pack ².

Former Lochryan Hotel Application

The committee noted that application 24/2563/FUL for the erection of a restaurant with drive through and takeaway facilities at the former Lochryan Hotel in Cairnryan, Stranraer had been withdrawn by the applicant, McDonald's Restaurants Limited.

Corbridge House Application

The committee considered application 25/0864/FUL for a change of use of dwellinghouse to form a residential care home at Corbridge House, Milton, Crocketford. Councillor Pauline Drysdale declared an interest and left the meeting during consideration of this item. The committee heard from several objectors: Richard Barbour, Derrick Douglas, Melissa Kerr, Ruth Smith and Susan Wallace. The Governance Officer read out statements from objectors Sara Barbour, Allan Broatch, Anne Keeley, Ian Lumsden, Claire Mitchell, Nicholas Mitchell, Peter Morris, Joyce Ryman, Mark and Anne White, Sarah White, Leigh Whitelhead, and from Samuel Deegan, Director on behalf of Planning Potential, agent.

A motion was proposed by Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, seconded by Councillor Kim Lowe, to defer consideration of the application to allow for a site visit. An amendment was proposed by Councillor Emma Jordan, seconded by Councillor Andrew Giusti, to determine the application at the meeting without a site visit. On a vote taken by roll call, the amendment was carried with the Chair, Councillor Jim H Dempster, using his casting vote.

The committee then refused application 25/0864/FUL on the grounds that the proposed change of use was contrary to Dumfries and Galloway Council Local Development Plan 2 Policy H6: Particular Needs Housing, as Milton is a rural Small Building Group with no services and facilities and as such, is not capable of properly supporting the proposed particular needs housing.

Fleet Vale Car Park Application

The committee considered application 25/1189/FUL for the erection of a transport hub with roof mounted photovoltaic panels at Fleet Vale Car Park, Gatehouse of Fleet. The hub would incorporate provision of secure bicycle locker storage for bicycles, e-bikes (electric bicycles) and acc-bikes (accessible electric bicycles), a bike wash / pump / repair station, a bus waiting area with fixed benching and shelter, and the installation of 1 electric vehicle charging unit. The committee approved the application subject to conditions detailed in the report.

Dashwood Square Bus Stops and Car Parking Application

The committee considered application 25/1192/FUL for the erection of a transport hub with roof mounted photovoltaic panels at Dashwood Square, bus stops and car parking, Newton Stewart. The hub would incorporate provision of secure bicycle locker storage for bicycles, e-bikes (electric bicycles) and acc-bikes (accessible electric bicycles), a bike wash / pump / repair station, a bus waiting area with fixed benching and shelter, and the installation of 2 electric vehicle charging units. The committee approved the application subject to a condition as detailed in the report and agreed to attach a directive in respect of contaminated land.

Black Esk Water Treatment Works Application

The committee considered application 25/0175/FUL for an extension to the existing Black Esk Water Treatment Works, including erection of a water treatment building and 3 metre high security fencing, siting of workshop, 2 salt saturators, 1 pump kiosk, 1 substation and transformer kiosk, generator and fuel storage kiosk, 1 service water kiosk, final mixer kiosk, 2 raw water tanks, 6 permeate tanks, 1 chlorine tank, 1 sample kiosk, 3 lamellas and associated buildings, formation of SUDS pond, landscaping and ground works and alterations to access. The committee heard from Karla Mann on behalf of Scottish Water, applicant. The committee approved the application subject to conditions detailed in the report, with the removal of Condition 15, which was covered by Condition 8.

Margree Wind Farm Application

The committee considered application 25/0825/S42 for the erection, 35 year operation and subsequent decommissioning of a wind farm comprising of up to nine wind turbines and associated development at Land at Margree, St John's Town of Dalry. The application was at variance with conditions 1 and 11 of planning permission PPA-170-2153 granted on appeal, to allow an alternative micrositing allowance and ancillary infrastructure layout and increase to proposed wind turbine tip height. The committee approved the application subject to conditions as detailed in the report.

Seafield Farm Application

The committee considered application 25/1202/PIP for planning permission in principle for the erection of a dwellinghouse, formation of vehicular access onto C39A public road and installation of septic tank soakaway at Seafield Farm, Seafield Road, Annan. The Governance Officer read out a statement on behalf of Councillor Ian Carruthers. The committee refused the application on the grounds detailed in the report.

St John's Scottish Episcopal Church Application

The committee considered application 25/1261/FUL for cleaning of war memorial at site outside St John's Scottish Episcopal Church, Newall Terrace and Lover's Walk, Dumfries. The committee approved the application subject to conditions as detailed in the report.

Kirkinner Primary School Application

The committee considered application 25/1249/LBC for listed building consent for installation of replacement flat roof covering at Kirkinner Primary School, Main Street, Kirkinner. The committee approved the application unconditionally.

Any Other Business

The committee noted that there was no business deemed urgent by the chair due to the need for a decision.