Easter Ross is ‘dumping ground for wind farms’  

Credit:  By ALISTAIR MUNRO | www.scotsman.com 18 July 2012 ~~

Community leaders claim their corner of Easter Ross has become the “dumping ground for wind farms” after a study shows it has the highest density of turbines in the north Highlands.

The Save Our Straths group in Ardross, Easter Ross, has conducted a comparative analysis of wind turbine densities in Sutherland and Caithness.

SoS chairman John Edmondson said: “Our research shows that turbine densities here in the Ardross area are currently 100 times more than those in Sutherland and four times those in Caithness. This is a massive discrepancy and it is difficult to reach any other conclusion than that the Ardross area has in effect become a dumping ground for wind farms.”

He warned that if all the applications for wind turbines currently in the pipeline were accepted – “and very few are being rejected at present” – then the Ardross turbine densities could still be four times that of Sutherland and double that of Caithness.

“We are not opposed to green energy in principle,” said Edmondson. “However, the burden of living close to wind turbines should be distributed equitably.”

“Highland Council needs to explain why such a disproportionate number of turbines have been imposed on the Ardross area.”

A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “The location of development proposals is a matter for applicants; not the Council.

“There are currently three consented schemes within the Ardross area. The effect on community and residential amenity of any current applications, both individually and cumulatively, will be taken into consideration by the Council in coming to a view on an application.”