The report says the scale of the proposal, especially in relation to turbine height is “unlikely to be appropriate for this location and may result in very significant adverse landscape and visual impacts”.

A group comprising Helensburgh Renewables, Luss Estates and Greencat Renewsables wants to put five turbines measuring 86.5 metres to blade tip on the hillside 2km north of Helensburgh in a project costing £7.8m.

But a “scoping” report written by council planners says: “A significant reduction in the scale of the proposal is recommended on landscape grounds, informed by the findings of the Argyll and Bute Landscape Wind Energy Capacity Study.” The report says that guidance on the development of this type of landscape, described as open ridgeland, recommends there is some limited scope for turbines to be accommodated of the small-medium typology, ie 30 to 50 metres.

In a statement released in response to the scoping report, a spokesperson for Helensburgh Renewables said: “Helensburgh Community Wind Farm is designed to be a tremendous asset for the people and future of Helensburgh’s community, and as such we have been engaged in ongoing dialogue with Argyll and Bute Council and various consultees.

“The submission of this formal scoping report marks a significant milestone in the project’s process, and we have addressed all of the issues and concerns raised within it, including turbine height. " Read the full story in this week's Advertiser, out on Thursday.