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Local authority vetoes South Kilbraur windfarm on grounds it would change the rural nature of the area. Campaigner says: 'It's the right decision'


By Caroline McMorran

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The leader of a group which campaigned against the seven-turbine South Kilbraur Windfarm, has said he is delighted the development has been turned down.

Michael O’Reilly, who set up Kilbraur 2 Action Group in 2019, said north councillors had made the right decision.

Campaigner Michael O’Reilly is delighted at Highland Council’s decision to turn down South Kilbraur windfarm.
Campaigner Michael O’Reilly is delighted at Highland Council’s decision to turn down South Kilbraur windfarm.

South Kilbraur Windfarm Limited, part of the Wind2 family of companies, had applied for consent to install the 149.9 metre high turbines some 1k south of the existing Kilbraur wind farm, located in the Rogart area.

The height of the planned turbines was a third larger than the Forth Rail Bridge at 110 metres and just short of the height at which aircraft warning lights would be needed.

But the local authority, in a decision notice issued last Friday, refused permission on visual grounds.

The notice reads: “The proposed windfarm would introduce a large scale windfarm within close proximity to, but distinctly separate from, the existing Kilbraur wind farm and its extension, changing the nature of this existing rural landscape to one which is characterised by windfarm developments.”

Mr O’Reilly, of Inchomney, said the knock-back to the turbines was “a ray of sunshine” and the right decision not just for the area but for the wider Highlands.

He said: “Everybody is delighted about it. It’s good to know that the little man can win. We are fighting for the people who come behind us. Obviously we realise an appeal could be lodged, but we don’t think it would be successful.”

However, Mr O’Reilly said he did not intend to wind down the action group just yet and it would be ready if the need arose.

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