RESIDENTS in Neilston are being asked for their views on how to spend millions of pounds from the sale of the village’s wind farm to a renewables company.

The four-turbine farm, opened in 2013, was 28 per cent owned by Neilston Development Trust (NDT) and 72 per cent owned by developers Carbon Free.

It has now been sold to The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG) and, as part of the deal, a new fund is being created to invest in the area’s long-term development.

Officials at NDT have organised a public meeting to consult residents on the priorities for the new windfarm legacy fund.

The meeting will be held at St Thomas' Church Hall, in Neilston, on Tuesday, May 30, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

Residents will be asked how the charitable fund, worth around £2 million, should be used to support local jobs and services.

Gordon Keenan, NDT chief officer, told the Barrhead News: “We anticipate that the fund will contribute to and make grants towards activities which will benefit the regeneration and improvement of the area.

“Many of these proposed activities were, for example, previously outlined in the Neilston charter. However, we are keen to hear from local people about what they think the fund’s priorities should be and what needs it could address.”

The conclusions from the meeting will be presented to trustees of the new fund to inform their decisions on the allocation of money.

Pauline Gallacher, NDT chairman, said: “I would urge people to attend and have their say.

“This fund will potentially make a real difference to the life of our community and our ability to attract complementary funding and support.”

The windfarm is continuing to contribute to Scotland’s green energy supply, generating 2.5 times Neilston’s annual electricity needs.