More than £2m has been paid to West Lothian by wind farm operators.
It is money which has helped dozens of charities across the county.
The council’s Partnership and Resources PDSP heard that payments from the five wind farms in the county totalled £386,306.79 from five operational wind farms in 2020/21. A total of 20 organisations were awarded new grants by the trust in this period and the total value of these grants was £344,535.75.
The wind farms are Black Law, Pateshill, Harburnhead, Tormywheel and Pearie Law.
West Lothian Community Development Trust (WLDT) was set up by the council in 2006 to administer cash paid by wind farm operators.
Community benefit received from wind farms is distributed within seven miles of the wind farm development (70% within three miles and the remaining 30% within seven). The trust distribute all community benefit payments. Representation ismade up of council officers, local communities and the wind farm developers.
Community benefit payments were first received in October 2007 and the first grants were awarded by the trust in 2009. As of 31 March 2021, £2,081,266.82 in community benefit contributions have been received by the trust and a total of £2,005,097.59 has been awarded to 65 separate organisations up to the end of March 2021.
WLDT received £386,306.79 from five operational wind farms in 2020/21. A total of 20 organisations were awarded new grants by the trust in this financial year and the total value of these grants was £344,535.75. The new grants allocation and the multi annual awards made in previous years takes the amount paid to organisation in 2020/21 to £512,224.75.
Among those who benefited in 2021/21 are Whitburn Community Development Trust, Fauldhouse Community Development Trust, Open Door, School Bank, SMILE and MOOD, a group which helps older people suffering from depression.
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