Mountaineers urge councillors to reject windfarm near Glen Affric – Press and Journal

By Jamie McKenzie

A national mountaineering body is urging councillors to reject a windfarm
near to a world famous Highland beauty spot.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) wants elected members of the
south planning applications committee to refuse consent for the Beinn Mhor
development near Glen Affric.

Mountaineers objected to the proposals to build the windfarm – which would
consist of six turbines standing at nearly 392ft – on the slopes at
Guisachen by Tomich.

The application has been lodged by Edinburgh-based wpd Scotland.

A council site visit will take place on Monday, February 23, before a
decision is made on Tuesday, February 24.

In its objection, the MCofS said the proposed windfarm would have severe
landscape and visual impacts on the area and would affect local tourism and
recreation.

Chief officer David Gibson said: “This site cannot support a wind energy
development of the scale proposed without causing an unacceptable and
intrusive impact on the important and iconic landscape of the Glen Affric
area, with consequent impacts on tourism.

“The planning officer’s report is disappointingly empty of original content
and repeats much of the developer’s own information. It is alarming that it
recommends consent but makes no attempt to rebut the 1,019 objections from
the public and two community councils, whereas there were only 179
responses in support. On tourism it contradicts itself – stating that the
impact would be negligible and the development won’t put hill users off
climbing the mountains of this area yet also saying it may discourage
repeat visits.

“There are existing and proposed wind farms in the vicinity at Bhlaraidh
and Corrimony and to consent this development – closer than either of them
to Glen Affric – would facilitate the steady march of turbines to the west.

“The area has high scenic value which is of international repute and
popular with a wide range of visitors – not just mountaineers. If
consented, the development could turn a landscape which is outstanding into
something which is plain ordinary.”