June 21, 2012
Press releases, Scotland

John Muir Trust objects to impact of wind development near popular Munro

Thursday 21st June, 2012 jmt.org

The John Muir Trust today hit out at plans to drive wind developments further into wild areas in Scotland.

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Stuart Brooks, argues that the Clach Liath proposals (for 17 wind turbines standing 126 metres tall to blade tip) on the slopes of Ben Wyvis in Ross-shire – a popular mountain for walkers and important area for wildlife – are flawed. He said:

“I sincerely hope that planning officials will recommend that this application is rejected and that the Highland Council Planning Committee refuses permission.

“The Clach Liath wind development would scar the sides of a notable and popular Munro in close proximity to Inverness. Wild places such as this should be valued for what they are and not industrialised.

“This wind farm would tower over land designated as a National Nature Reserve, and encroach on scenery that has been rightly recognised as a Special Landscape Area. The access route will gouge through the Alt na Caoraich burn – which is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest.

“This industrial energy plant is far too close to our wild land; it jeopardises the natural beauty that sustains jobs associated with tourism.

“There are already many wind farms in this area – saturating the area with wind towers will leave little space clear of mechanised industry.

“Many more people in the Highland region have tourism related jobs than in maintaining wind development, which is largely done electronically. I urge the Highland Council to think about the human impact of risking such an important source of sustainable employment.

“Ben Wyvis is a famous peak important for wildlife, which is home to at least 2.4% of the breeding Eurasian Dotterel in Great Britain. So for both ecological and landscape impacts, this is a development in the wrong place.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/21/john-muir-trust-objects-to-impact-of-wind-development-near-popular-munro/