A second wind farm plan has been lodged near Blackcraig

They have decided to seek a three-month extension to the consultation period due to end on 31 October.

The move is designed to give planning officers time to consider the impact on the Galloway plans of another proposed wind farm on an adjacent site.

More than 500 people have objected to the plans, with about 80 representations in favour of the

scheme.

The proposal would see the 360ft high turbines built on a two-and-a-half mile ridge in countryside between Corsock and Dunscore.

Both objectors and supporters had been due to have their say at a special meeting of the council's Stewartry area committee in Castle Douglas.

Further application

However, another wind farm application at Margree - very close to Blackcraig - was received by the council on Friday afternoon.

Officials said each would have a material bearing on the other and they needed time to consider the cumulative impact.

They will ask the Scottish Executive - which has the final say on Blackcraig - to extend the consultation period by three months to the end of January.

The move was described as "common sense" by Alison Chapman of the campaign group Glare which opposes Blackcraig.

Wind farm supporter Roland Chaplain from Dalry said developers Scottish and Southern had bent over backwards to overcome concerns and expressed disappointment at the delay.