KENNEDY Renewables say that while they have been criticised for the level of community payment being made from the Little Raith operation it is through a planning agreement they inherited.

Jonny Kennedy, Managing Director of Kennedy Renewables, said, “The community benefit fund of £49,500 per annum provided by Kennedy Renewables to the Four Wind Development Trust is for the sole benefit the local communities of Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Lumphinnans and Auchtertool. “The level of funding of £2000 per MW, was agreed between the previous developer and the communities around 2008 before we purchased Little Raith Wind Farm in 2010.

“The community benefit agreement was secured as a planning condition that is governed by Fife Council. As such it is an obligation we inherited and one that we have fully honoured.

“The level of funding is more generous that that provided than other community benefit funds set up for some of Scotland’s largest wind projects, including Clyde Wind Farm and Whitelee Wind Farm, which are both set at around £1000 per MW. “In addition to the community benefit fund, we are working in the local community through our partnership with Fife College, where we have set up ‘The Kennedy Renewables Educational Fund’ to provide local students on the Wind Turbine Technician Training Course with laptops, industry leading software and safety equipment. “We also sponsor Cowdenbeath FC’s youth teams - both our partnerships with the college and local football team are designed to support youth development in Central Fife. These partnerships are funded solely by Kennedy Renewables in addition to the community benefit funds.” He added, “The current guidance for community benefit - as published by the Scottish Government earlier in 2014 - is now set at £5000 per MW. We are happy to meet this level of funding if the extension is given the go ahead. This would yield a further £100,000 per annum into the community benefit fund.

“Lochgelly Community Council has been fully involved in the Community Liaison Forum since we set it up in 2010. In addition to our liaison forum we have also held a series of public exhibitions in each of the four communities during the construction period in 2011/12 and most recently in February 2014 to promote our project. “We also launched our wind farm with a formal opening ceremony to which all key local stakeholders were invited and attended in Summer 2013.

“We welcome dialogue with local residents, indeed any one is able to go to our contacts page on our website - http://www.kennedyrenewables.co.uk/contact - to get in touch with Kennedy Renewables regarding Little Raith Wind Farm.

“We would urge residents to make contact with ourselves and Fife Council with any legitimate concerns they may have. We will work with Fife Council to ensure that any complaints received will by investigated and issues found will be addressed.

“Kennedy Renewables would also be happy to meet with any residents to receive feedback on the wind farm, be it good or bad. We are disappointed that Mr Glen and Ms Holt have yet again made these accusations through the media. We would be happy to meet with them to discuss their concerns, which we believe would be more helpful than a dialogue through the media.

“As Fife’s first commercial wind farm, we have been proud of the work we have undertaken and we continue to engage with the local communities surrounding the Little Raith Wind Farm.”