A CAMPAIGN group set up to fight a windfarm development on the Kilpatrick Hills held a rally on Saturday.

Around 40 people came to Queens View car park at Stockiemuir on a wet misty morning to show their support for Stop Loch Lomond Wind Turbines.

The planning application for 10 turbines up to 120 metres (blade tip) was lodged with West Dunbartonshire Council by Lomond Energy, based near Gartocharn, at the end of January.

The protestors argue that the Kilpatrick Hills form a much valued scenic area, home to a wide variety of wildlife and enjoyed by many walkers, climbers, and members of the public.

They are also on the boundary of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Stop Loch Lomond Windfarms argues that the planning application is contrary to some of the West Dunbartonshire Local Plan 2010 and contrary to part of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Local Plan.

A spokesman added: "If this development goes ahead it may well lead to further applications in the future and will change forever the landscape of our countryside. Even when the turbines are removed the tonnes of concrete poured into the base of each turbine will remain.

"It is becoming increasingly apparent that these giant structures are not as efficient as we are lead to believe, they cannot provide power all the time, wind is intermittent in this country, so traditional means of providing power - coal, gas and nuclear - are still very much needed to keep the lights on.

"The C02 saving is highly disputed and the number of local jobs created negligible. "The power the turbines generate does not reduce anyone's electricity bill. The costs of the massive subsidies being paid to the wind farm operators are actually paid by us, the consumers which means we are paying more."

However, Steve Macken, director of Lomond Energy, said: "Lomond Energy is passionate about renewable energy and the true benefits that it can bring not only in tackling climate change and increasing our energy independence, but also to communities in the form of sustainable economic development and local job creation.

"As the project is being developed by a local firm with local communities set to own a share, we can ensure that a significant portion of future revenues will be retained within West Dunbartonshire", For more information visit www.stoplochlomondwindturbines.com or www.lomondenergy.co.uk.