Chleansaid wind farm plan near Lairg raises no objection from Highland Council
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Highland Council will not object to a proposed 16-turbine wind farm near Lairg, despite objections from NatureScot, Mountaineering Scotland and two community councils.
The local authority’s north planning committee concluded that the benefits of the Chleansaid wind farm outweigh the challenges.
ESB Asset Development UK Limited wants to build the wind farm at Dalnessie, Lairg.
As a major national development, the application comes under the scope of the Electricity Act rather than Highland Council directly. The council is invited to comment as a consultee.
Debating the Lairg wind farm plan on Tuesday, councillors agreed not to make any formal objection to the Scottish Government.
Councillors and planning officers grappled with the particular location of this proposed wind farm.
The site itself doesn’t sit within any national conservation areas. However, it is in very close proximity to some of the most unspoilt landscapes in Scotland.
If approved, the wind farm will lie within 10 kilometres of three different wild lands, Caithness and Sutherland peatlands, and several moors, lochs and rivers with special environmental protections.
Caithness and Sutherland peatlands is currently in the running to be granted World Heritage Site status.
And adjoining the site boundary is hillwalkers’ favourite, Ben Klibreck and Armine forest.
The sensitive nature of the landscape attracted several objections. Most influential is that of NatureScot, which said the Lairg wind farm would have significant effects on the Ben Klibreck-Armine wild land area.
Mountaineering Scotland objected on the same grounds, adding that the wind farm would negatively impact the landscape and scenery. It said wind farms are encircling the hills, making them less attractive to hillwalkers and tourists.
However, in a 106-page report, Highland Council planners outlined that many of these concerns could be mitigated by imposing certain conditions on the application.
During debate, they reminded members that this is a national – not a local – planning application. As such, councillors needed to consider the positive contribution to national climate change targets.
If the application was going to Highland Council, the committee would place considerable weight on an objection from NatureScot.
However, in this case the council is just another consultee. Overall, planners felt the economic and environmental benefits nationally, outweighed the local sensitivities.
That’s not to say it was a national versus local planning debate. Rogart and Golspie community councils both objected to the plan because of concerns about construction traffic, and a perception that Highland has already done its bit in meeting national renewables targets.
However, Lairg community council offered their support. They said the wind farm could positively benefit the local economy and the drive towards net zero.
Sutherland councillor Marianne Hutchison also said she had received several statements in support of the development. She said the wind farm is a “significant positive in an energy and climate change crisis”.
Councillor Margaret Paterson agreed – “this one’s in the right place” – while council leader Raymond Bremner commended planners on weighing up the evidence carefully.
Mr Bremner said their conclusion – that the council should raise no objection – is the right one.
Some members did note their dissent from the positive response of the committee.
Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss was concerned that the wind farm could impact on the bid for World Heritage designation for the peatlands. He highlighted that this was a significant development in a “pristine environment” and if NatureScot objects, “we should pay attention”.
In response, planning officers stated that the wind farm lies outside of the bid area for World Heritage Site.
Sutherland councillor Richard Gale also expressed reservations. He asked if previous wind farms in the area have set a “precedent”, adding: “I have serious concerns about the continued proliferation of wind farms in this part of Sutherland.”
However, Cllr Gale stopped short of bringing an amendment, since the majority view of the committee was clear.
Members agreed to raise no objection, and the Lairg wind farm application will go back to the Scottish Government for consideration.
