June 19, 2012
Scotland

Windfarm on Munro slopes kicks up storm

By Cheryl Livingstone, The Press and Journal, www.pressandjournal.co.uk 19 June 2012

Plans for a 17-turbine windfarm on the slopes of a Munro mountain have sparked outrage in the north and Moray.

Campaigners claim the proposal for Ben Wyvis – believed to be the first for a peak over 3,000ft – shows total disregard for the “recreational and tourism value of Scotland’s mountains”.

But the developer claims the windfarm is designed to be “back dropped into the landscape”.

Falck Renewables has applied to erect 17 turbines, each 416ft high, on Clach Liath, which is part of the Ben Wyvis massif.

Last night Bruce Morrison, chairman of Ferintosh Community Council, urged local residents and anyone living around the Inner Moray Firth to voice concerns about the proposals on the prominent peak.

He said: “Ben Wyvis has been designated as a Special Landscape Area. We believe this development to be wholly inappropriate.

Mountaineer Cameron McNeish said: “I believe Scotland can be a world leader in renewables – but such success should not be at t he expense of our highly-valued recreational and tourism industries.”

The planned Ben Wyvis windfarm is on Swordale Moor, Falck Renewables said last night.

“The site does not lie inside the designated Special Landscape Area and avoids any areas of specific environmental protection on Ben Wyvis.

“The windfarm has been designed to sit well in the landform when viewed from the south.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/19/windfarm-on-munro-slopes-kicks-up-storm/