Written by Gregor White
Redesign plans for a controversial wind farm that will see fewer – but
taller – turbines erected have been approved by the Scottish Government.
Renewable energy company Infinergy won an appeal for the redesign of the
Tom nan Clach development at Glenferness, after its proposals to reduce the
number of turbines from 17 to 13 were initially rejected by Highland Council.
The local authority had also rejected the original plans before they were
also approved on appeal – as well as an application to extend the length of
time planning permission was valid from three years to five.
Construction started on site in early June just ahead of the expiry of the
original permission, with the redesign appeal being considered by the
Scottish Government as work was ongoing.
Infinergy says new technological developments will allow them to produce
around a quarter more energy than originally envisaged with a smaller
number of turbines, though these will be taller than those originally
planned, with an increase in blade tip height from 110m to 125m.
The firm’s managing director Esbjorn Wilmar said: “We are delighted with
this decision. The redesign will increase the renewable electricity
generated on the site by approximately 26 per cent, using fewer turbines
and their associated infrastructure.
“We started construction of the wind farm’s access tracks this summer and
we are thrilled that it will be the better project that gets to be built on
this fantastic site for wind energy.”
The wind farm lies within the Drynachan, Lochindorb and Dava Moor Special
Landscape Area and Infinergy’s proposals had attracted more than 1000
objections including from protest group Strathdearn Against Windfarm
Development.
The group’s convenor Pat Wells had previously objected to the redesign
saying the larger turbines meant the visual impact would be even worse than
what had originally been proposed.
Five community councils had also lined up against the scheme – East
Nairnshire, Dulnain Bridge, Carrbridge, Grantown and Strathdearn.
Cawdor and West Nairnshire, however, had supported it as it would allow
nearly 20,000 homes to be supplied with renewable energy and save a
significant amount of CO2.
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