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Councillors have agreed to oppose a wind farm in the Galloway Hills – triggering a public inquiry into the plans.

Opponents of the 14-turbine Blair Hill project near Newton Stewart gathered outside Dumfries and Galloway Council offices to highlight their concerns.

Planning committee councillors agreed to object to the plans due to concerns over the impact on a regional scenic area (RSA).

Developer RES said it was disappointed the local authority had opposed what it described as a “well-designed project”.

Protesters from the Hands Off Our Hills group gathered outside the council offices in Dumfries before the development was discussed to raise their concerns about the proposal.

Robert Burton grew up in a house close to the development site where his parents – both in their 70s – still live.

He said their world had “fallen apart”.

“The nearest turbines are only one kilometre from the house and more worrying is the access road to the site,” he said.

“It is a couple of hundred metres away from the back of the house and very close to the private water supply as well.”

Another protester, Sian McKinnon, told BBC Scotland News she believed the scheme was unnecessary.

“We have enough renewable energy in Scotland – we overproduce,” she said.

“So this is about exporting energy to England. This is not helping us and our communities, it is not helping us in our approach to net zero.

“It doesn’t make sense, there is no logic to this – it is about making money for companies.”

Developers said the project could generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of more than 115,000 homes.

They added that it could save more than eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its operational life as well as providing a community benefits package of nearly £25m.

However, councillors decided to follow officer recommendations and oppose the plans, which now means they will go to public inquiry.

They had concerns about the impact on a scenic area, how lighting might affect the Galloway Dark Sky Park and the effect on a “highly valued upland landscape”.

Sarah McArthur, development project manager at RES, said: “Blair Hill is a well-designed project, which carefully considers the local landscape and environment.

“Naturally we’re disappointed that an objection has been raised, particularly when Blair Hill has the potential to deliver discounted electricity for local residents, an £87m boost to the economy and up to £55m in business rates to support vital local services.”