A Caithness farmer has warned that two wind turbines will be “a blight on a valued landscape” and will upset his livestock if they are allowed to go ahead.
Ronald Sandison, of Smerral Farm, is among a group of residents in the Bowertower area opposing Swarclett Wind Farm, which will be within 800 metres of some properties.
Renewable energy company Wind2 is seeking to build the turbines, each with a maximum blade-tip height of 149.9 metres, on land between Bower and Durran. A battery energy storage system is also part of the development.
Four generations of the Sandison family have worked the land there. Mr Sandison’s farm extends to around 550 acres, with about 120 cattle and 100 breeding ewes.
“These monstrosities will be a blight on a valued landscape enjoyed by many,” he said. “Unusually for Caithness it’s a landscape that is unaffected by the presence of turbines.
“It is so close to my property that livestock will be unsettled, which will affect production.
“Longer term, we’d planned on retiring to the old croft that lies almost directly under the proposed turbines. Nobody would want to live so close and suffer the inevitable noise and other disturbances.
“The area is currently a haven for all sorts of wildlife, including hares, curlews and deer, and is an almost magical environment. All species would be affected by the proposed wind farm and would be unlikely to return.
“This wind farm proposal is a prime example of a few greedy people being prepared to make money at the expense of the quality of life and environment of many others. Would you do this to your neighbours? No? I wouldn’t either.” https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/farmer-warns-swarclett-wind-turbines-will-be-blight-on-valu-348116/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1LkLprg_OzO8EW5URmHnqd6C-x_b7-1fC7tG2GeFd3JcvLAc5nYZGnARo_aem_AZuBUz7JgQNBpn8DbmNFvYnlkp_g5wAhBi1JfjMKhtEqnn2Na90tqZZabAjBq4Z7iyVNcUnv-87ibqlZe7FwOTEK
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