BOSSES at Knockhill Racing Circuit plan to use green energy to power the venue after proposals for two wind turbines were submitted to Fife Council.

The application was submitted at the end of June and, if given the green light, would see two 50kW turbines, measuring 24 metres in height, erected within the grounds of the track that would produce up to 250,000 kWh per year.

Plans by REG Windpower to build five 110-metre (360ft) turbines on a 425-hectare site at Outh Muir, in the Cleish Hills, was rejected by councillors in March after opposition from Historic Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh Airport and Knockhill themselves, who expressed concerns over the impact on wildlife, Dunfermline’s historic skyline and Dumglow Cairn and Fort and the operations of air traffic control at Edinburgh Airport.

An appeal for the Outh Muir proposals has been submitted to the Scottish Government Reporter but Knockhill managing director Jillian Shedden said that their proposals were “nothing like the wind farm” and the small size of the turbines would not cause significant visual impact to the surrounding area.

She said, “The application is in its early stages and the turbines would be relatively small in size.

"The purpose of them is for power generation for the venue as well as doing our bit for the environment.

"The power consumption at Knockhill is very high all year round; in the summer we have a number of large events, such as the Superbikes and the Touring Cars, while in the winter a lot of power is used to keep the site operational.

"It is not going to be a money-making exercise for us – although we may save a little – but we have looked into the options and it seems to be the most effective way to generate power.

“We made our objection to the very large turbines and we do not want them to be a distraction to the track or participation.

"The visual impact to the local community is something that we have considered.” In a letter supporting the proposal to the council, DCNRG Ltd said that they had “attempted to site the turbines where the least disturbance can be established”, and that “whilst the location of the proposed turbine may be locally visible, it is hoped that the local residents, who may be affected by the visual impact of the turbines, will be able to view the installation as a proactive and positive effort to reduce carbon emission and provide a source of renewable and sustainable energy locally.” A decision on the plans is expected to be reached next month.