Highland Council to object to Acheilidh Wind Farm with concerns over ‘positioning and prominence’ of turbines
Highland Council is to object to a controversial proposal for a wind farm in East Sutherland, which it is feared will have a negative impact on the scenic beauty of the area.
Members of the North Planning Applications Committee agreed to object to the proposed Acheilidh Wind Farm at their meeting in Inverness today.
Planning officers recommended the 79.2MW development, which includes a 5MW battery energy storage system (BESS), be opposed.
The application will be determined by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit as it is above the 50MW threshold, but the local authority is a statutory consultee.
German renewable energy company Energiekontor is seeking permission to build Acheilidh Wind Farm - formerly known as Lairg III - on open moorland 7.6km south-east of Lairg and 8km west of Rogart.
A total of 12 turbines are planned, six measuring up to 230m high, and six up to 200m high, together with associated infrastructure. Access to the site would be via Lairg II wind farm.
Ten objections to the development have been received.
Rogart Community Council carried out a consultation on the development, and the majority of respondents were against it.
Rogart Community Council chairman Frank Roach previously said that Acheilidh Wind Farm was a “big deal” for the parish and would have a bigger impact on local residents than others in the area, including the existing Gordonbush Wind Farm, its extension, and Kilbraur Wind Farm.
Planning officer Mark Fitzpatrick told councillors that there were serious concerns about the “positioning and prominence” of the turbines in an area of “rolling hills”.
“In our opinion, this site is worthy of significant protection,” he said.
Planning officers were also concerned about the cumulative effect Acheilidh would have with operational and consented and proposed wind farms in the surrounding area.
Committee chairman Drew Millar said he was in favour of raising an objection and this was agreed upon by councillors present.
