By Jane Candlish
Scottish ministers have given the go-ahead to plans for a 23 turbine
windfarm near Loch Ness.
News that consent has been granted to the Corriegarth windfarm was
announced just a day after an emotive new video highlighting the spread of
turbines in the hills of the Great Glen.
NBW Wind Energy can now build turbines at the site near Gorthleck.
The scheme will have a capacity of up to 70MW – potentially enough to power
33,000 homes.
Highland Council originally granted permission for 20 turbines in 2010 but
the company lodged revised plans for an enlarged scheme using different
turbines in 2013.
The new consent replaces the existing planning permission.
Last night, an anti-windfarm campaigner said that he was “shocked” at Mr
Ewing’s decision.
He said that the consent also “contradicted” the Scottish Government’s
policy of “protecting the nation’s finest scenic landscape”.
He said: “I would ask Nicola Sturgeon as a matter of urgency to question Mr
Ewing why he is contravening policy.”
He also suggested that the windfarm approval would jeopardise a bid for
Unesco World Heritage status for Loch Ness.
And fellow campaigner Lyndsey Ward said: “The terrible reality is that
these wind farms are being consented without the true picture being
revealed to the general public of the amount of turbines that are being
proposed across Scotland.
“There still are no up to date maps available from any source for the
Highland region and despite that this government think it is acceptable to
keep waving them through. What will it take for them to wake up to what is
happening in other parts of the world where the wind industry is being
challenged on its claims of potential generation and emissions saving.”
NBW Energy estimates that 245 jobs will be created during the construction,
with up to five full-time positions available when the scheme is operational.
The company also claims that a community benefit fund will provide
approximately £100,000 per annum to support local projects.
Mr Ewing said: “The Corriegarth Wind Farm will create a number of jobs, as
well as generating power for many thousands of homes and provide
considerable benefits to the local community.
“The Scottish Government wants to see the right developments in the right
places, and Scottish planning policy is clear that the design and location
of renewables projects should reflect the scale and character of the
landscape, as well as being considered environmentally acceptable.”
0 Comments