First of its kind panel sees South Lanarkshire communities oversee wind farm benefits

A groundbreaking agreement, said to be the first of its kind in Scotland, will empower South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire communities to have joint oversight of vital funds from a nearby wind farm. Set to deliver £167,000 worth of community benefits annually, Mill Rig Wind Farm, developed by OnPath Energy is set to be up and running in 2026, with communities recently coming together to put pen to paper on the new agreement. The newly-formed panel, comprising the Sandford & Upper Avondale, Sorn, Muirkirk, Darvel & District, and Newmilns & Greenholm community councils, will now take the lead in deciding which local projects receive funding. Robin Winstanley, sustainability and community director at OnPath Energy said: “Most community benefit funds in Scotland are managed within a single local authority, but the Mill Rig fund takes a different approach. “By creating a joint panel model, we’re ensuring that every community in the catchment area of this wind farm has a real voice in how the benefits are shared. “Funding decisions will rest entirely with the community panel, with South Lanarkshire Council offering support through application administration, compliance checks, and ongoing guidance. “It sets a new standard for how wind farm benefit funds can be inclusive, empowering, and support locally led collaboration between East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire communities to deliver real value to local people.” The panel’s formation was facilitated by South Lanarkshire Council and has been warmly endorsed by East Ayrshire Council, with the two authorities working collaboratively to ensure the fund supports communities most impacted by the development. Richard Hanmer, chair of Darvel & District Community Council and chair of the newly-formed Mill Rig panel, said: “This panel is a true example of what communities can achieve when they work together. “It’s not just about how the money is spent, but rather about building relationships across boundaries, sharing ideas and delivering long-term improvements for everyone involved.” David McLatchie, chairman of Muirkirk Community Council said: “The funding will make a real difference, particularly for small rural areas like Muirkirk where even modest support can go a long way in helping local projects and groups. “We’ve already started letting people know about the opportunity through our community newsletter and other groups, and I’m confident there will be plenty of interest once the fund goes live next April.” Once the fund goes live next spring, individuals and organisations based in the represented communities will be able to apply for funding via a new online portal. South Lanarkshire Council will act as verifier and compliance agent throughout the process, ensuring good governance, while East Ayrshire Council will maintain an advisory role in support of their participating communities. The wind farm’s 33.4MW capacity is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of over 31,000 homes annually, significantly contributing to Scotland’s net-zero ambitions. Chair of the South Lanarkshire council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “This is a great example of communities across council areas coming together to deliver tangible benefits from windfarms and renewable energy funding. “We believe the fund will have many years of benefiting those communities closest to the windfarms.” More information about Mill Rig Wind Farm can be found at: www.onpathenergy.com/mill-rig *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .