June 26, 2012
Scotland

Fresh blow for Ben Wyvis wind farm scheme

Ross-shire Journal | www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk 23 June 2012

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has objected to the proposed Clach Liath wind farm on the slopes of Ben Wyvis in Easter Ross.

The body says the popular Munro “is worthy of protection from this kind of inappropriate development”.

Coriolis Energy LLP is seeking planning permission on behalf of Falck Renewables Wind Limited to build seventeen 126.5-metre turbines to form Clach Liath Wind Farm.

A wind farm on the flanks of Ben Wyvis would be visible from Inverness and Dingwall, as well as a number of popular mountains in the surrounding area, it says.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has objected to the proposed wind farm development because it would not be in accordance with the Highland Council Development Plan.

It says it would be contrary to the purposes of the Special Landscape Areas designation in the Highland wide Local Development Plan.

MCofS Director of Landscape and Access, Ron Payne said: “The sensitivity of the site and nature and scale of the proposed development means the landscape does not have the capacity to accept the proposed development.

“The applicant has not presented any arguments to indicate that there are material considerations to indicate otherwise and as such the application should be refused.”

The MCofS recently launched its Manifesto on Onshore Wind Farms in which it called for an immediate moratorium on commercial wind farms which encroach on the highest mountains, the Munros (peaks over 3,000ft) and Corbetts (2,500-3,000ft).

This application is “absolute proof”, it says, of why the Scottish Government should develop more effective policies and call a complete halt to any proposals which affect Munros, Corbetts and other key sites.

Added Mr Payne: “The Clach Liath application demonstrates that developers will try to build anywhere, regardless of our natural heritage.”

He added: “Ben Wyvis is an iconic Munro that would be permanently disfigured and damaged by such a senseless industrial development. This is the wrong place for a wind farm and the MCofS urges Highland Council to reject the application.”

The company behind the scheme says the site, which would cover 412 hectares and be complete by 2014, say the site at Swordale Moor near Evanton is a “good location” for a wind farm.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/06/26/fresh-blow-for-ben-wyvis-wind-farm-scheme/