Councillors stick to their guns and refuse to lift objection to Strath Oykel Wind Farm despite approach from Scottish Government – Northern Times

North councillors have remained resolute in their decision to raise an objection to a planned Sutherland wind farm.

Members of the North Planning Applications Committee were asked by the Scottish Government to reconsider their decision, taken just five months ago, to oppose the proposed Strath Oykel Wind Farm.

The move by ministers was made in the light of a new planning policy, National Planning Framework 4, agreed by the Scottish Parliament and set to be adopted at the start of next month. The policy presumes in favour of renewable energy developments and says that significant weight must be given to schemes that help mitigate the climate and biodiversity crisis.

The 11-turbine, 73mw Strath Oykel scheme, proposed by EnergieKontor UK, will be decided by Scottish Ministers, but was opposed by councillors on the grounds of its likely individual and cumulative impact on the landscape and visual amenity.

Planning officials had recommended that no objection be raised.  https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/councillors-sick-to-their-guns-and-refuse-to-lift-objection-301004/