Plans to build a controversial windfarm in Dunoon which would be visible from large parts of Inverclyde have been slammed by a local campaigner.

Councillor David Wilson, who is chair of Keep Corlic Wild, says the proposal will blight the views of Cowal from the area.

Nine gigantic turbines with a maximum height of 200 metres (656 feet) are being proposed for the hilltops above Dunoon.

Members of the Save Cowal's Hills are holding a public meeting in protest against the plans in Dunoon Burgh Hall tomorrow (Thursday).

A view of what campaigners say the Cowal hills would look like if the proposed wind farm is built. (Image: Philip Norris)

Councillor Wilson said: "These proposed turbines, at 656 feet, are just ridiculously tall.

"They will not only have a detrimental effect on the Firth of Clyde but also the Highlands, moving over to Ben Lomond.

"They are just not needed. There are still plenty of offshore areas are available for wind farms and that is the best place to have them."

A company called Stratkraft wants to build the windfarm.

Councillor Wilson vehemently opposed the windfarm at Corlic Hill, which was was rejected by Inverclyde's planning board, only for that decision to be overturned by the Scottish Government on appeal.

He told the Telegraph: "There turbines are significantly taller than the Corlic Hill wind farm.

"The Shard in London is 310 metres, translating to 700 feet, so they are not much smaller than the Shard. It is totally out of place in the hills above Dunoon.

"It will affect our view in Greenock and from all the cruise ships. Coming from the Port side, all passengers will see and is this windfarm instead of the hills and mountains of Argyllshire.

"It will affect the view from Lyle Hill, above and beyond Gourock, Skelmorlie and Largs. This will affect North Ayrshire as well as Inverclyde.

"It is the wrong place for something of this size. It should be offshore."

Councillor Wilson also says wind farms also bring an unwanted knock-on effect on the surrounding countryside.

He said: "When you get these wind farms, you also get industrialisation around about. There are five applications for large battery storage units all within two miles of Corlic.

"This includes at Auchentiber, Pennyfern and Inverkip. There is also a gas plant at Corlic to manufacture electricity when the wind isn't blowing, and there is still a need for electricity, ancillary items. It's an industrialisation of the countryside."

Philip Norris, of  Save Cowal's Hills, said that because of the scale of the proposal, it is likely to bypass the local authority, Argyll and Bute Council, and go straight to Scottish ministers for a decision.

He said: "This is at an early stage and is still to become a live application.

"So many people are alarmed about it we are holding a meeting, to see where we go from here. 

"The number one objection is that at 200 metres, the turbines are twice the height of the Greenock and Whitelees wind farms.

"The site proposed is above Sandbank and Dunoon and overlooks the Holy Loch as well as the Clyde."

Mr Norris said the company itself is Norwegian and visited Dunoon in June to assess local reaction, when, he said, people were quite alarmed.

"Quite a lot of houses will be close to the these turbines," he added, "and people will be subjected to noise.

"There is also the visual impact. They will be right next to the national park. Dunoon is the marine gateway to the national park.

"This size of turbines should only be built offshore.

"Lots of us are in favour of renewable energy. There are really good opportunities for hydro electric use in the area."

Thursday's meeting takes place at 7.30pm.