SSE are applying for a two year extension to their test turbine site at Hunterston, but the move has sparked fresh controversy in Fairlie.

The community council stated that the original agreement of five years had only been consented on the basis that it was a temporary facility lasting five years.

And SSE have confirmed that if they get their two year consent, their further intention would be to look at submitting a major application for the site for a further 15-20 years. A recent presentation took place to around 30 villagers at this month's community council meeting.

Fairlie villager Steve Graham said: "I am very sympathetic to turbines in general but my great worry about this whole exercise is that it brings the planning procedures into disrepute as it did go ahead as five year temporary project. I think it is disgraceful that planning procedures are being abused. We were assured it was a temporary application."

Community councillor David Telford said: "It does strike me that there is a bit of a cavalier attitude to health concerns - these are the biggest turbines around, and they are really too close to the local population."

SSE responded that they are employing an independent acoustics engineer in response to complains regarding dizziness symptoms which were raised earlier this year, and the results were due soon.

Project liaison manager Pauline Allison responded: "I am sorry you feel that way. It was originally a five year project, and the site has been successful, and we have decided to take it on."

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall stated he was unhappy that the application was going through during the holiday festive period - 20th December - and people would only have three weeks after that date to respond, and implored SSE to wait until January until launching their application.

At present, there are two turbines at 173m and 193m in height, set up by Siemens and Mitsubishi respectively, but the existing consent on site is due to expire in October 2017. An application for a third turbine was withdrawn earlier this year.

At which point there is a further six month period allowed for the full decommissioning of the site and the reinstatement of the land.

However, SSE's current plan is to submit an application to North Ayrshire Council which would include detailed information.

Immediate plans would be for the Siemens machine to stay up and running and for testing to continue.

Investigations are underway for looking at partnerships and training possibilities for the next two years. These include meetings with North Ayrshire College and Strathclyde University.

Siemens are keen to use the facility as a wind turbine technician training centre.

Members of a local liaison group requested has been made for SSE to be in more contact with Largs Academy to help the school benefit from having a local testing facility like Hunterston based nearby, with the additional possibility of apprenticeships and training for the local area to benefit.