Highland councillors are being urged to support a planning application for a Sutherland wind farm which is set to be decided tomorrow.
The North Planning Applications Committee is due to consider at its meeting on Tuesday an application by German renewable energy company WKN GmbH for a nine-turbine development at Sallachy.
The wind farm, sited on Sallachy Estate on the shores of Loch Shin, some 18.3km to the north west of Lairg and within the Reay-Cassley Wild Land Area, would have an installed capacity of up to 49.9mw.
This takes it below the 50mw threshold where it would have to be referred to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consent Unit.
The proposed turbines would measure 149.9 metres to blade tip.
And in advance of the meeting, Lairg Community Council has written to north councillors to flag up its support for the wind farm and ask them to back it.
The letter, signed by Lairg Community Council chairman Iain Thomson and former chairman Andrew Mackay, reads: “If this project were to be consented, the benefits would be greatly felt across Lairg and the wider community and it has been actively supported since 2012.
“Lairg Community Council, along with our neighbours in Creich, Ardgay, Durness, Scourie and Kinlochbervie, is pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a pioneering shared ownership investment, which allows us to invest in the project itself.
“This is a revolutionary agreement that has the opportunity to create a real, lasting legacy between the six central and north-west Sutherland communities.
“The economic benefits this development could bring to the village and wider area could make a real difference to our community moving forward.
“It will allow us to create and maintain jobs in central Sutherland and help keep our young people living and working in the area and rejuvenate the Highlands.”
It is understood an annual community benefit award of £5000 per mw would be made to the local communities who would have the opportunity to own up to 10 per cent equity in the wind farm.
Highland Council planning officials are recommending that the applications be approved.
A total of 123 objections have been received including one from Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fishery Board and another from NatureScot.
There, have been 144 representations of support.
Background reports concluded: “The council is in agreement with the finding of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report that Sallachy Wind Farm is unlikely to give rise to any new or other significant adverse impact on the environment.
“The council is satisfied that all environmental effects of this development can be addressed by way of mitigation.”
If planning consent is granted, it is thought that construction work would begin in the second quarter of 2023.
https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/lairg-community-council-writes-to-north-councillors-in-advan-273227/?fbclid=IwAR2mrhz6zeEdTwYUH9aFogHUXCFVlHo35hjycSSaoEM0x9GYZ7Mbj0Areuk
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