May 27, 2013
Scotland

Sallachy Wind Farm developers deny view disruption

The Northern Times | 27 May 2013 | www.northern-times.co.uk

The Sallachy Wind Farm developers, WKN, say that some comments made in the press following last week’s North Planning Committee were “misinformed”.

The committee had voted in favour of raising no objection to the Sallachy Wind Farm application.

WKN have issued a statement saying that “a variety of misinformed media statements have been made”.

They said that these have largely related to the visual impact Sallachy Wind Farm would have and on its location.

They continued: “It has been claimed this week by an SNH spokeswoman that, from the top of Ben More Assynt, there would be a 360 degree view of wind farms if Sallachy Wind Farm was consented. This is an inaccurate and under researched statement. In fact, no wind farms lie to the south west, west, north west or north of Ben More Assynt, whether in scoping, application or operational phases.

“The normal radius used for calculating cumulative impact of wind farm sites is 35km. Within this radius of our site it is possible to see operational wind farms to the east and southeast (Achany, Rosehall and Kilbraur).

“There are a further five in application stages (Glencassley, Dalnessie, Braemore, Glenmorie and Coire Na Cloich). If consented, these would lie to the east, south east and south of Ben More Assynt.

“This is also the case for the viewpoint from the top of Ben More Assynt. There are no wind farms to the north, south west or west, i.e. towards the National Scenic Area and the sea. The views that draw people most to the area remain untouched.

Oliver Patent, Head of International Developments at WKN, said: “We accept that our proposals bring turbines closer to the munro, but we believe our design takes the landscape into account and any visual impact caused by the turbines has been minimised through this careful process.”

Oliver Patent, Head of International Developments at WKN, said: “Despite other comments in the media, the view of turbines is limited to a certain perspective on the summit. Human activity has long been introduced in this sector of the view point through the Glencassley hydro scheme and the houses and villages in the background.

“The most attractive part of the view lies to the west, towards the NSA and the sea beyond, which will remain without turbines should Sallachy Wind Farm be consented by the Scottish Government.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/05/27/sallachy-wind-farm-developers-deny-view-disruption/