Written by Iain Ramage
The Scottish Government is being urged to review its blessing for the first
windfarm on designated Highland wild land amid claims the debate was
“hijacked” by people living hundreds of miles away.
There is strong community support for the 22-turbine Creag Riabhach scheme
at Altnaharra in Sutherland.
But it has emerged scores of people in geographical clusters in
Aberdeenshire, Fife and even South Yorkshire registered backing for the
project. A chunk of the support was registered over a 48-hour period in
mid-February.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser wants the planning application reassessed.
“The ministers who agreed to these plans now have some very serious
explaining to do about whether due process has been followed,” he said.
The list of long distance support for the windfarm features on submissions
to the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit.
Community councils in Altnaharra, Kinlochbervie, Bettyhill and Durness all
registered backing. But so did an array of companies from Aberdeenshire,
Ross-shire and Oxfordshire.
The Creag Riabhach project, featuring turbines up to 410ft tall, was
approved for a site between Lairg and Altnaharra.
The estate owner could not be contacted yesterday.
Tim Philpot, director of Creag Riabhach Wind Farm, said: “Our project is
firmly rooted in the local community as it’s being developed in partnership
with the Altnaharra Estate.
“It’ll provide important job opportunities for residents and companies
throughout the region as well as investment through a community benefit
fund and a lasting legacy benefit.”
Scottish Government minister Paul Wheelhouse gave his blessing despite
strong opposition from wild land charity the John Muir Trust which fears a
“Trojan horse” effect with the scheme being replicated elsewhere.
Its head of policy Helen McDade said: “The Scottish planning system needs
to change to allow genuine local participation while protecting our natural
heritage.”
A government spokesman said yesterday the windfarm would help tackle
climate change, produce £9million of benefits for the local community and
support local economic development.
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