Planning permission for a controversial wind turbine on the hills around Alexandria is set to get the go-ahead – despite local objections.

A meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Planning Committee will sit on Wednesday with the recommendation to approve the single turbine, which will be located east of Bonhill, near residential areas at Beechwood and the Wheatcroft Estate.

The proposed turbine would be a three-bladed, horizontal-axis turbine with a nominal rated capacity of 250kW and a maximum height to the blade tip of 43 metres.

It is the third time an application has been made to erect a wind turbine on this site after a 2015 bid was granted but never fulfilled due to a financial package for the community being agreed upon. It was considered withdrawn in March 2021.

Then, in 2022, a second application was submitted, alongside an accompanying agricultural storage shed. This was thrown out in August last year due to no link to farming being made around the shed.

Now, a report being readied for councillors ahead of Wednesday’s gathering to green-light the plan outlines reasons why this time, it is set to be approved.

It reads: “The proposed wind turbine complies with both the adopted and proposed local plans.

“The sloping landscape and urban character in the vicinity of the site mitigate against the visual impact of the turbine on the Kilpatrick Hills or the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and there would be no adverse cumulative impacts.

“The distance from the nearest residential property and intervening tree coverage is sufficient to ensure that there would be no unacceptable impact on residential properties.”

Before adding: “By removing the proposed agricultural shed, this current proposal addresses the concerns raised in the 2023 refusal.

“Overall, the proposed development would allow the erection of a wind turbine which would be appropriately sited, have no unacceptable impacts and would contribute to renewable energy targets.”

The wind turbine development would include the construction of a 550m access track, an electrical substation with underground cabling and six vehicle parking spaces.

But the latest approval is likely to incur further objection and backlash from a variety of locals to the area.

Accepting the bid had a “substantial body of objection” the report details a wide berth of groups against the idea.

It states: “Fifty-eight representations from fifty-seven representees have been received in connection with the proposal including from Beechwood and Wheatcroft Residents Association.

“All are in objection.”

It lists concerns such as for the local roads and traffic, the visual impact it could have on Dumbarton Rock, nearby residents being adversely affected by noise disturbance and environmental issues.

However, the document argues it has considered all these issues and recommends councillors to approve to plan.