By Jane Candlish
Proposals for a windfarm in Caithness have been turned down by council
planners.
The Spittal Hill project would have included seven turbines on land to the
east of Spittal Hill.
Each of the devices would have been 328ft high.
The scheme also required more than 1.2miles of new access tracks and
upgrades to more than 2.5miles of existing tracks.
The windfarm had attracted a significant level of comments – more than
1,700 people wrote to Highland Council concerning the application.
Of those around 1,150 opposed the development, while around 580 were in
support.
Objectors raised issues about the cumulative impact and adverse impact on
residents. There was also concern about nearby sites of special scientific
interest.
Supporters, however, said that there is a need for green energy and that
the windfarm would provide jobs.
But using their delegated powers, council planners have turned down the
plans, brought forward by Spittal Hill Windfarm Ltd.
No one from the company was available for comment.
It is understood that the land is owned by
In his report, planner Ken McCorquodale said that there would be a
cumulative impact on motorists on the A882 road because of the number of
turbines.
Also that there would be “significantly detrimental” effects from Cooper’s
Hill and Dunnet Hill because the windfarm would expand the Causeymire cluster.
Mr McCorquodale also raised concerns about the visual effects on the
community of Spittal from the proposed development, existing turbines and
consented schemes at Halsary, Bad A Cheo and Achlachan.
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