Scottish wind farm consents refused

Minsters have refused consent for a 22 turbine wind farm located at Sallachy and Duchally estate in central Sutherland and a 23 turbine wind farm situated at Glencassley Estate, by Lairg also in Sutherland. Ministers have considered both applications fully.

When considering the Sallachy wind farm Ministers decided there would be an unacceptable impact on the Assynt – Coigach National Scenic Area (NSA) and the Reay-Cassley wild land area.

In considering the Glencassley application Ministers concluded there would be an unacceptable impact on the Reay-Cassley wild land area.

For both applications, Ministers concluded that on balance the impacts of the proposed Developments would not be outweighed by any wider policy benefit.

Energy Minster Fergus Ewing (pictured) said: “The Scottish Government’s policy on wind farms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our most scenic landscape and wild land area.

“We have been clear that wind farms can only be built in the right places and Scottish Planning Policy sets out rigorous steps to ensure wind farms are sited appropriately and sensitively.

“I have considered these applications fully and recognise the efforts made by the applicants to mitigate the potential impacts of the Developments. However I have refused permission as the proposals would still have significant and unacceptable landscape and visual impacts in the local areas and these are not outweighed by any wider policy benefit.”