MSP goes against his party over wind farm – The Herald

AN SNP MSP has defied his government’s planning policy by backing plans for
a 22-turbine wind farm project on wild land in northern Scotland.

Rob Gibson, who is convener of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and
Environment Committee, claims the Creag Riabhach scheme at Altnaharra in
Sutherland would reap economic benefit.

Almost 150 people have responded via Highland Council’s planning website to
the plans, which included turbines of up to 410ft in height.

Scottish Natural Heritage and the wild land conservation charity the John
Muir Trust (JMT) have objected. Caithness, Sutherland and Ross SNP MSP Mr
Gibson said: “I hope this development gives the community a real and long
lasting boost. ”

JMT policy officer John Low said: “This is a classic case of an
inappropriate development in the wrong place. It would fall within one of
the 42 new Areas of Wild Land mapped by SNH.

“Scottish Planning Policy 2014 spells out that these are sensitive areas
with little or no capacity to accept new development.

“We believe it would have a destructive impact not only on the landscape
and ecology of Creag Riabhach but would jeopardise local businesses which
rely on tourism.”