Leading Sutherland councillor Richard Gale says Strath Oykel wind farm ruling is a ‘backwards step for local democracy’ and backs Judicial Review
Sutherland’s leading councillor has described the Scottish Government’s decision to give the go-ahead to the Strath Oykel wind warm as a “a severe disappointment”.
Cllr Richard Gale, who represents the East Sutherland and Edderton ward and who is chairman of Sutherland County Committee, made the comments at a meeting of the North Planning Applications Committee (NPAC) in Inverness on Wednesday.
Councillors were being updated on the progress of ‘major developments’ and were told that developer EnergieKontor UK had been granted planning permission for the proposed 11-turbine, 73MW wind farm on a site near Rosehall.
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Highland Council considers launching judicial review of Strath Oykel wind farm plan in Sutherland
There is anger at the decision because the government overturned the recommendation of its own planning reporters who had advised,following a public inquiry that the development be turned down.
It emerged last week that the Highland Council is now taking legal advice on challenging the decision through a Judicial Review.
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Cllr Gale said: “I wanted to put on record my severe disappointment at the decision by Scottish Ministers to grant permission for Strath Oykel wind farm.
“This signifies a real backward step in terms of local democracy and goes well against the wishes of local people and the decision of this committee. We really should be looking at a Judicial Review and I know this is in process at the moment.”
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