Latest Windfarm Determinations in Sutherland

29th September 2006

Highland Councillors on Friday, 29 September 2006 determined three applications for the erection of windfarm developments in Sutherland.

Meeting at Lairg Community Centre following site visits the previous day, the Planning Development Europe and Tourism Committee considered applications by:
~ SSE Generation Ltd for 23 turbines generating 46 Mega Watts of electricity at Achany Estate Lairg;
~ Airtricity Developments UK for 23 turbines at Invercassley (Beinn Rosail), Strath Oykel; and
~ E.on UK Renewables Ltd for 19 turbines at Rosehall Hill Forest, Rosehall.

All three applications drew objections, including petitions from neighbouring residents, concerning the cumulative effects on visual amenity and landscape character.

The committee accepted the recommendation of John Rennilson, Planning and Development Director, to refuse permission for the developments at Achany Estate, Lairg, but accepted a motion to approve developments by Councillor Clive Goodman and seconded by Councillor Jimmy Gray to approve development at Invercassley, Strath Oykel.

They accepted the recommendation to approve, subject to legal agreement and 44 planning conditions, the development at Rosehall Hill Forest, Rosehall.