Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Highland councillors stand by windfarm decision
Credit: By David Kerr | The Press and Journal | 12 November 2014 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Highland councillors yesterday reaffirmed their support for two controversial windfarms in Sutherland.
Members of the north planning applications committee were asked to review their previous responses on Glencassley and Sallachy windfarms after changes to national planning policy.
But despite calls from conservationist to raise an objection, they backed their original decision to support the two applications – which will now be decided by ministers.
The two applications were supported by the council in May 2013, however since then government planning policy on wild land has changed, and the council were offered the chance to reconsider the plans under the new legislation.
SSE Renewables’ Glencassley scheme involves around 23 turbines near Rosehall, while WKN Sallachy Ltd’s plans comprise 22 devices near Loch Shin.
Only seven members of the committee were allowed to vote on yesterday’s decision, because they had been involved in the original discussions.
The John Muir Trust said that approval for the windfarm would mean the wild land area maps would be “rendered worthless”.
But yesterday, councillor Maxine Smith said: “All I want to say is that we have debated this fully already and there is no need to re-examine our decision.”
Oliver Patent, head of development UK for WKN, welcomed the decision and said: “We are pleased to receive the support of Highland Council for a second time on Sallachy windfarm after the council reaffirmed its position on the project to Scottish ministers.
“Now that the project has been considered by Highland Council under the new planning policy, we look forward to a final decision being made by Scottish ministers.
“We welcome the support of the local communities for Sallachy windfarm and believe it is vital that the view of the communities who live in Sutherland are heard.”
An SSE spokeswoman said: “The Glencassley site was chosen specifically in order to ensure the wind farm would have minimal visual impact on the surrounding area.
“The proposal itself has been sensitively designed over many years and will not affect the integrity of the national scenic area. Indeed it is located adjacent to the existing Achany wind farm and will utilise some of that site’s infrastructure.”
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
Wind Watch relies entirely on User Funding |
(via Paypal) |
(via Stripe) |
Share: