Hagshaw Energy Cluster, Douglas Valley Advisory Group
Planning

Calling Muirkirk residents - add your voice to the Douglas Valley Advisory Group and have your say

The Douglas Valley Advisory Group (DVAG), a community group set up to direct large-scale, strategic investment proposals in the local area, is looking for community members from  Muirkirk to join the group.

Welcoming the initiative, Councillor Graham Barton, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, East Ayrshire Council said: "Local community involvement in planning decisions is crucial to successful development as we strive to reach net zero targets. The Muirkirk area has a great contribution to make in powering a future green economy, building prosperity and creating job opportunities, and the best people to help shape how that happens are those who live and work locally. 

 "That's why we're encouraging Muirkirk residents to join the DVAG, so they can make their views known, helping to inform  the decisions which will affect them, their local area and the wider East Ayrshire community."

Set up in 2023, DVAG is a constituted group, representing Coalburn, Douglas, Glespin, Lesmahagow, Muirkirk and Rigside, currently comprising of representatives from each of the Community Councils and one individual per settlement.

Facilitated by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) and working in partnership with East Ayrshire Council (EAC), the DVAG has been set up following the creation of the Hagshaw Energy Cluster Development Framework, focusing on the cluster of seven windfarms around Hagshaw Hill, including Cumberhead, Dalquhandy, Douglas West, Galawhistle, Hagshaw Hill Repowering, Hagshaw Hill Extension and Nutberry.

The Development Framework sets out an ambitious vision for how a more strategic and collaborative approach to renewable energy development can help us achieve a Just Transition to Net Zero. It identifies opportunities which will enhance the area, including the creation of a Regional Renewable Energy Hub, community transport initiatives, active travel and recreational routes, restored peatlands, enhanced historic and urban environment, a tourism strategy, skilled green energy jobs and improved recreational opportunities, to name a few.

Group members provide strategic overview and direction of investment proposals relating to the Development Framework. This currently includes the progression of an Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism Feasibility Study for the Douglas Valley, as well as the scoping of Community Transport options.

Who can apply?

Applications are encouraged from any community member regardless of age, experience or background, and welcomed from those who consider themselves to represent a protected characteristic as defined under the Equality Act 2010.

Forms will be anonymised and circulated to the existing group for scoring, with the highest scoring application being invited to attend the subsequent DVAG meeting.

How to apply

You can apply to DVAG by email, outlining in under 300 words:

  • Which community you propose to represent
  • What you can bring to the DVAG
  • Why you want to join the DVAG

Email: sarah.osullivan@southlanarkshire.gov.uk by 9am, Monday 22 September.

For more details and to discuss alternative submission methods (including video and voice note if required) contact South Lanarkshire Council on the email address above or call 07795 453 825.

More details

Read:  A Development Framework for the Hagshaw Energy Cluster

The Hagshaw Energy Cluster Development Framework process was led by NatureScot.

Key contributors included:

Land Use Consultants (LUC), working with BIGGAR Economics, RPS Group and Star Development Group, were commissioned to develop the project and engage with landowners, communities, local businesses, and other interested parties, from 2021-2022.