April 23, 2012
Scotland

Upper Smerral wind-farm plan is rejected

John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier, www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk 23 April 2012

The Highland Council has rejected plans for a new wind farm six miles north of Dunbeath.

The planned development by Caithness Power Ltd of four 800KW wind turbines at Upper Smerral, Houstry, was recently knocked back by the local authority’s North planning committee.

It refused the application as it was contrary to the council’s policy of wind energy developments in the Highland-wide local development plan.

Members said it would result in unacceptable visual impacts to the detriment of individual and community amenities both on its own and in combination with existing and proposed wind energy developments.

Potential significant adverse effects such as noise and shadow flicker were also highlighted as problems with the development.

The proposal had already come under fire from Buolfruich Wind Farm Ltd, which owns the existing Buolfruich Wind Farm just 1.5km from the where the new turbines were to be sited.

The firm objected as it claimed the new turbines would capture the wind its turbines currently harness.

However, Cameron Sutherland, an agent for Caithness Power Ltd, said the claims were “utter nonsense”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/23/upper-smerral-wind-farm-plan-is-rejected/