Highland Councillors have unanimously backed plans for a 14-turbine
windfarm on the island of Skye, despite the site earmarked being near the
area of the world famous Cuillin Ridge and its resident golden eagles.
Glen Ullinish Wind Farm is to be located between Ose and Struan at Allt
Dughaill.
It is projected to boost the local economy and provide over £6m of
community benefits in its lifetime, at a rate of £250,000 per year. It will
be distributed among the closest communities.
The turbines will be on land owned by the Scottish Government, and
developed as a partnership between Kilmac Construction and local crofters
Kilmac say they will generate enough electricity to power 23,000 homes and
10 jobs will be created during construction.
But the Cuillins Special Protection Area (SPA) lies 7.5 miles to the
south-east of the development site. The SPA was classified under European
Birds Directive in recognition of the golden eagles nesting within the
site. However Scottish Natural Heritage did not object. Indeed council
officials said there had been remarkably little opposition.
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