In a letter written by Sandra Davies, the council’s senior planner, she states ‘it would appear unlikely that officers will be able to support this application due mainly to impacts on the National Park but also for other reasons including impact on the Inner Clyde area and lack of information on ornithological details’.

The news has ‘disappointed’ developers Helensburgh Renewables, which is behind the plans together with Green Cat Renewables and land owner Luss Estates.

The five-turbine application is due to be presented at a Planning, Protective Services, and Licensing meeting in the New Year where elected members will be asked to approve or reject the proposals, although no date has been set as yet, according to the council.

A spokeswoman for Helensburgh Renewables said: “A few distant views from the already built up and touristy parts of the National Park appear to be being put before the needs of the residents of Helensburgh.

“The Community Wind Farm offers transformative benefits for our community, creating a Common Good Fund worth £4million over 25 years. Such funding, and the resultant access to all important match-funding, has the potential to make real and lasting positive change for the people of Helensburgh and the surrounding area.

“Helensburgh Renewables remains committed to the Community Wind Farm and we will continue to work closely with Argyll and Bute Council.” The long-anticipated planning application was submitted to Argyll and Bute Council in July for the five 800kW wind turbines – which will stand 86.5 metres high to the blade tip.

The development is earmarked for the land to the south east of Tom Na H Airidh, and north of Drum-fad Wood, about 2km north of Helensburgh Developers say the Burgh community will receive a 33 per cent share in the scheme via a locally-elected development trust, with a potential to bring in £100,000 a year, or £4 million over the lifetime of the project.

As revealed in the Advertiser, Helensburgh Community Council has backed the plans, after they organised a debate for residents last month in the Victoria Halls.

But the application has faced fierce criticism from large sections of the community, who have submitted over 250 letters of objection.

Community group Turbines Evaluation Group Helensburgh and area (TEG-H) has also submitted opposition to the plans.

A spokesman said: “TEG-H is not surprised if official assessment is starting to harden against the Helensburgh wind farm proposal.

“The council’s planners have based their recent letter on representations from official consultees, including important national and regional organisations. Some of them ask for additional information and that is part of the council’s communication.

“If objections submitted by other national and regional organisations are added, the tally of outside bodies concerned about this application increases. Then factor in the surveys of local opinion, which have all resulted in a majority against the wind farm, plus the rush of individual objections, and it seems clear that antipathy to the scheme is mounting.

“The planning system exists to protect the public from bad developments and TEG-H considers that this wind farm proposal is an example.” A full summary of consultee responses, including those from the National Park, Civil Aviation Authority, Historic Scotland and the RSBP, can be found on the council’s website by visiting the planning section and searching 14/01674/PP.