A kite energy company hopes to extend the period it is allowed to carry out test flying on part of a Scottish military range. Kite Power Systems got approval last year for research and development at West Freugh near Stranraer. However, it was limited to between mid-April and mid-September to protect hen harriers and white-fronted geese. The firm has tabled a bid to have that extended by a month saying it would have no likely significant effect. The project has secured more financial backing since it received planning permission last summer. It recently received a £2m equity investment from the Scottish Investment Bank and now has more than 25 staff between its management base in Glasgow and the test site in Dumfries and Galloway. It said a report on birds in the area had concluded that the species concerned were not present at West Freugh until mid-October.
BBC 16th Aug 2017 read more »
