Consent for Scottish wind farms refused

Ministers have refused permission for two wind farms in Sutherland in Scotland.

Sallachy and Duchally Estates in central Sutherland had proposed a 22-turbine wind farm, with energy firm SSE seeking to build a 23-turbine wind farm situated at Glencassley Estate.

In reaching their decision, Ministers decided that the Sallachy wind farm would cause an “unacceptable” impact on the Assynt – Coigach National Scenic Area (NSA) and the Reay-Cassley wild land area.

Similarly with the Glencassley scheme, it was determined that the application would also lead to a negative impact upon the Reay-Cassley wild land area.

Ultimately, it was decided by that the benefits of both projects were not sufficient to warrant the applications going ahead.

Energy Minster Fergus Ewing said: “The Scottish Government’s policy on wind farms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our most scenic landscape and wild land area.

“We have been clear that wind farms can only be built in the right places and Scottish Planning Policy sets out rigorous steps to ensure wind farms are sited appropriately and sensitively.

“I have considered these applications fully and recognise the efforts made by the applicants to mitigate the potential impacts of the Developments. However I have refused permission as the proposals would still have significant and unacceptable landscape and visual impacts in the local areas and these are not outweighed by any wider policy benefit.”

An SSE spokesperson said: “We are very disappointed with the decision by Scottish ministers to refuse consent for Glencassley wind farm.

“We will examine the decision in detail and consider all options for the project before commenting further.”

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