A DANISH billionaire who owns nearly a dozen estates in Scotland is taking
on the Scottish Government in a battle over a major wind farm battle that
threatens the view from his land.
Anders Povlsen is launching a judicial review into the decision to allow a
controversial wind farm in Sutherland.
Mr Povlsen is angry the Government has given permission for the wind farm
on the Altnaharra estate, owned by Jim Gray, 82, the founder of the Gray &
Adams transport company, in Fraserburgh.
A “local” petition that was used to back the controversial wind farm was
said to have been hijacked by people from Doncaster, Dunfermline and
Fraserburgh.
Gray & Adams also has branches in Dunfermline and Doncaster.
Opposition politicians have demanded the Government reconsiders its
decision to approve the 22-turbine Creag Riabhach development because local
support for the project was one of the main arguments considered by
ministers before they gave permission for the project.
Creag Riabhach was approved two months ago by Energy Minister Paul
Wheelhouse, despite being partially located on wild land. It is the first
wind farm to have been approved in a designated wild land area since the
Government adopted a revised planning framework in 2014.
The new rules are designed to protect the country’s most rugged and
beautiful landscapes, but Mr Wheelhouse justified his contentious decision
by saying the project had “popular support from the local community council
and public alike”.
Now Mr Povlsen’s Wildland Ltd has confirmed it is seeking a judicial review
of the decision and is lodging its appeal with the Court of Session. The
Creag Riabhach turbines, each up to 270ft high, will be visible from
several of Mr Povlsen’s properties.
Thomas MacDonell, director of conservation for Wildland Limited, said: “We
are concerned about the proliferation of wind farms in the area. We have
applied for a judicial review. How they got permission for that wind farm
God only knows.
“The turbines are definitely in the wrong place. We think there are
contradictions with the Government [policies] over this. We feel it’s an
industrialisation of our precious land.
“Our passion for our land-holdings in Scotland is to maintain their wild
and natural beauty.”
Mr MacDonell said Mr Povlsen was not against wind farms. But the Altnaharra
decision had “inconsistencies” and, if successful, the review could decide
to start the consent process again.
He said: “If the consent stands we will consider our investment strategy in
that part of the world. It would change the whole atmosphere of that area.
It is possible we could pull out of that part of the world,” he added.
Analysis of an Altnaharra community petition in support of the development
showed local approval was insignificant compared to blocs of support in
other places, all of them hundreds of miles away from the proposed site of
the turbines.
A Government spokesman said: “The application for Creag Riabhach received
strong support from the local community council in Altnaharra.”
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