Plans have been approved to expand a 26-turbine wind farm in South Lanarkshire.

Banks Renewables has gained permission from the Scottish Government to increase the size of its Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm, south of Strathaven.

Proposals include increasing the size of the site to 41 turbines, raising the capacity of the scheme to 139MW, capable of powering more than 80,000 homes.

Banks Renewables has already appointed Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd to undertake site investigation work; the Central Scotland team of Euroforest has been appointed for the forestry work and RJ McLeod has been for selected to undertake the balance of plant works on site.

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Overall, the scheme is estimated to provide around £17.5 million in local revenue over its 25-year life span, in addition to an expected boost to local businesses.

Colin Anderson, development director at Banks Renewables, said: "Construction is already underway on the approved main Kype Muir Wind Farm.

"We are delighted that the Scottish Government has approved the expansion of the Kype Muir Wind Farm, which will bring substantial environmental benefits and a potentially transformative economic boost to the area.

"Both the government and the council clearly appreciated of the positive impact the Kype Muir Wind Farm  can have on the surrounding area and the people who live there."

(LM/MH)