One of the most celebrated landscapes in the Highlands is on the verge of
being “completely strangled” by a 30-mile chain of wind turbines, say
campaigners.
Furious climbers claim plans for two windfarms threaten to overwhelm the
unspoilt beauty of the Monadhliath Mountains, leaving nowhere more than a
few miles from one of the structures and wrecking the local tourism economy.
And the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCoS) is urging the Scottish
Government to seize its last chance to preserve the area by ditching
proposals for the Allt Duine application, which would be sited just a few
hundred yards from the Cairngorms National Park boundary.
The scheme, which would be sited just a few hundred yards from the
Cairngorms National Park boundary, would comprise 31 towers, standing 410ft
high, on land at the Dunachton, Alvie and Dalraddy estates, near Kincraig,
as well as many miles of access tracks.
The Scottish Government said it would be inappropriate to comment on the
project while it is still under consideration, but insisted ministers took
into account issues such as the impact on the landscape and the presence of
other windfarms nearby before reaching any decisions.
Members of the MCoS say Allt Duine – combined with a new application lodged
by Coriolis Energy for 13 turbines at the Dell windfarm at Whitebridge –
would complete a line of turbines stretching for 30 miles north from the
Corrieyairack Pass with no one more than three miles from one of the
structures.
Chief officer of the group, David Gibson, said the area of the Monadhliath
had been “sacrificed to the profits of big power companies, windfarm
developers and major landowners”.
He added: “The extent of the damage will become clear over the next few
years as the massed ranks of turbines which have been given the go ahead
are built and overwhelm the wild lands which have been valued for so long
for their remoteness, wildlife and beauty.
“The local economies in these areas depend heavily on those who go there to
walk, climb or relax in open countryside, but this is all at risk as
visitors will go elsewhere.”
Mr Gibson said there was still time for a re-think on the Allt Duine
application, on the eastern side of the range.
He said: “There is one final chance for Scottish Government Ministers to
save a fragment of this area.
“That is the choice facing John Swinney MSP right now – it’s his decision
whether Allt Duine proceeds or not.”
A Highland Council planning committee on Monday will decide a separate
windfarm application in the Monadhliath Mountains south of Inverness.
Planners have recommended members approve the Glen Kyllachy scheme.
A separate company has also lodged proposals to extend another windfarm
near Tomatin before it has even been built.
Councillor Jim Crawford, Inverness South, said the Scottish Government
should “hold its head in shame” for the way people in the Highlands have
been treated.
He added: “The residents of Tomatin will be surrounded by turbines if an
application for an extension is approved.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said last night: “Scottish Ministers
carefully consider all material considerations, including landscape and
visual impacts and cumulative impacts with other windfarms, before coming
to a determination on any windfarm application.
“As the Allt Duine proposal is still under consideration, it would be
inappropriate to comment on the specifics of that proposal.
“Our new National Planning Framework (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy
(SPP) set out a shared vision for Scotland as a place which benefits from a
positive planning system that protects our unique environment.
“NPF3 and SPP place a ban on windfarm development in the 19% of Scotland
identified as National Parks and National Scenic Areas. Significant
protection is provided to areas of land identified within Scottish Natural
Heritage’s Wild Land Areas Map 2014.
“In total, approximately 30% of Scotland’s landscape will benefit from
stronger protection against inappropriate development.”
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