A Cornish company wants to submit a planning application for two giant wind turbines in Caithness.
CleanEarth is proposing to place the pair of turbines, which could measure up to 500ft, on land at Rangag Farm.
The company is currently seeking a formal screening opinion and early consultee comments on the proposal.
The development would require switchgear housing units, temporary access tracks and underground cabling.
CE insists it is aiming to develop sites which have less environmental impact in terms of proximity, noise and visual amenity to houses, the ecology of the area, existing infrastructure and locally designated areas and features.
They claim they haven’t finalised their choice of turbine model due to constant industry developments, but the lifespan of the machines would be 30 years.
The closest ecological designation is the Sheilton site of special scientific interest, and the Caithness and Sutherlands peatlands which have multiple designations.
The turbines would be 100m away from these at the closest point, but CE argues the turbine and its infrastructure will not have a significant impact, because they do not directly infringe on the designation.
The site is more than seven miles away from the nearest national scenic area and not in an area of class 1-2 peat.
CE added that, following the response to the screening request, they intend to submit a planning application with full impact assessments.
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