An open letter has been sent to Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing by
leading international peatland experts calling for a 39-turbine wind farm
proposal in the heart of Caithness and Sutherland’s Flow Country to be rejected
The letter, signed by the Secretary-General of the International Mire
Conservation Group, Professor Dr Dr Hans Joosten, highlights the global
importance of the peatlands of the Flow Country for biodiversity, carbon
storage and their unique landscape value.
The area is so important for Scotland’s natural heritage that it is being
considered as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The letter states that the Group learnt with “dismay” about Perth-based
SSE’s proposals for Strathy South wind farm, as it “risks repeating many of
the acknowledged mistakes made during the era of forestry expansion into
the Flow Country”, and raised concerns that the development could have a
“significantly negative impact” on any consideration of World Heritage
Status for the Flows.
RSPB Scotland, which supports carefully sited wind farms, has also fiercely
opposed the proposal because of its impact on the important peatland
habitat and because it would put sensitive species such as hen harriers,
red-throated divers, greenshanks and wood sandpipers at risk.
Aedan Smith, Head of Planning at RSPB Scotland, said: “Continued growth of
renewable energy in Scotland is crucial in order to protect people and
nature from climate change.
“A poll last week showed 70% of people in Scotland want to see more energy
from renewables like wind energy, and RSPB Scotland is in complete
agreement. But if we want to retain this public support we need to make
sure we don’t sacrifice our protected species and habitats by consenting
poorly-planned proposals.
“We have a responsibility to protect our most important places for nature,
and we are confident that onshore wind can continue to grow in Scotland
without compromising this aim. This open letter from the IMCG shows that
the reputation of the wind industry in Scotland is at risk at a global
level if Scottish Ministers allow Strathy South to go ahead.”
A public inquiry into planning proposals for Strathy South wind farm
concluded in June 2015, and is awaiting a decision by Scottish Ministers.
Hundreds of concerned individuals from across Scotland and beyond have
objected to the plans, as well as Highland Council, Scottish Natural
Heritage, The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Buglife, Plantlife Scotland, and the
John Muir Trust.
The International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG) is an international
network of specialists which promotes the conservation of mires (peatlands)
and related ecosystems. The network encompasses a wide spectrum of
expertise, from research scientists to peatland site managers and
practitioners. The network currently has over 600 contacts in 65 countries.
It was established in 1984 to promote the conservation of mires and their
complete range of natural diversity throughout the world. www.imcg.net
Professor Dr Hans Joosten is Secretary-General of the IMCG and is a leading
specialist in the science and practice of peatland restoration. Dr Joosten
is also active in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, developing
IPCC guidelines and guidance for reporting and accounting emissions from
wetlands and organic soils.
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