Highland councillors give green light to Strath Tirry and Sallachy wind farms, but move made to call in Sallachy
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The go-ahead has been given for the construction of two new wind farms in the Lairg area.
North councillors this morning voted 7:5 to grant planning consent to the four-turbine Strath Tirry Wind Farm, despite planning officials recommending it be turned down.
And members of the North Planning Applications Committee, meeting virtually, also went on to unanimously give the green light to the proposed, nine-turbine Sallachy Wind Farm.
Prior to the meeting Lairg Community Council, which is strongly in favour of both developments, wrote to councillors urging them to support the applications.
The 20mw Strath Tirry Wind Farm, to be sited 1450 metres north east of Dalmichie, is being developed by REG and Falck Renewables and the turbines will be 135m in height to blade tip.
Planners recommended that it should be refused because of the “significantly detrimental impact” it would have on the landscape and said it was contrary to various planning policies.
However North, West and Central Sutherland councillor Hugh Morrison disagreed, saying: “I just think it fits the bill nicely and it is tucked away. I do not now why the recommendation is to refuse.”
Committee chairwoman Maxine Morley-Smith said: “The turbines are big and close to the road (A836) and I can see why planners want to refuse it.”
A motion by Cllr Morrison to grant consent was seconded by Cllr Isabelle Campbell and won against an amendment for refusal, proposed by Cllr Callum Smith and seconded by Cllr Raymond Bremner.
Power company WKN is behind Sallachy Wind Farm, earmarked to be built on the south shore of Loch Shin with 149.9m high turbines.
Councillors were in general agreement to give it the nod, although Cllr Richard Gale, East Sutherland and Edderton, did voice concerns expressed by Rogart Community Council over the impact on the village of wind farm construction traffic.
Planning officer Simon Hindson revealed that a landowner had written to the Scottish Government asking that the Sallachy application be called in for Ministers’ determination.
He said the Highland Council had been copied into correspondence to that effect, but had not yet received any official confirmation from the government.
“We have not had any written notification that they want to call it in, but if they do call it in we will make you aware,” Mr Hindson told councillors.
“If the Scottish Government get in touch with us, we would not be able to issue a decision but we can determine it today.”
