The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has reacted with dismay to the
Scottish Government’s decision to grant permission for a 67-turbine wind
farm which will be able to be seen from parts of the Cairngorms National Park.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has given the go-ahead for the Stronelairg
development on the Garrogie Estate near Fort Augustus.
Mr David Gibson, Chief Officer for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland,
said: “We objected to Stronelairg because it will be a massively intrusive
industrial development located on a 700 metre high plateau, meaning that
the height of turbines will extend to more than 800 metres above sea level
(2,500 feet) and be visible from mountains for miles around and from the
Cairngorms National Park.
“The Scottish Government appears to be oblivious to the adverse impacts of
such developments on tourism.
“Even research studies sponsored by the renewables industry itself already
show a worrying and serious trend in the adverse impact on visitor
intentions, based on their perceptions of wind farm developments.
“The Scottish Government will publish its latest planning policy (NPF3 and
SPP) on 23 June in which it will lay out the measures by which it aims to
protect Scotland’s world-renowned landscape from onshore wind farm
developments.
“If Stronelairg is indicative of the value it places on our landscape,
there seems to be little hope for its future, and for that of the many
businesses and thousands of jobs in rural communities which rely on
tourists who come to Scotland for its landscape, unless strong protective
measures are put in place.”
The project will provide power for the equivalent of up to 114,000 homes.
Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson (SNP) has welcomed the go-ahead and said it will
generate as much as £30 million in benefits for the local area and the
Highlands as a whole.
During the construction phase and throughout its lifespan the project will
create more than 100 jobs for the local community.
Mr Thompson said: “This decision is fantastic news for the local area and
the Highlands as a whole – and further confirmation of the potential for
renewable energy not just to make our country greener – but also to create
jobs and contribute to strengthening Scotland’s economy.
“That the local community – and the Highlands as a whole – are set to
benefit by up to £30 million is also particularly welcome.
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of harnessing Scotland’s
vast renewable energy potential and this decision is another step toward
meeting the target to generate the equivalent of 100 per cent of
electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
“Scotland has the potential to be the renewables powerhouse of Europe – and
the sector already employs more than 11,000 people across the country and
provides more than a third of the UK’s renewable electricity generation.”
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