March 25, 2015
Scotland

Fourteen turbines approved for Skye

David Ross, Highland Correspondent | The Herald | 24 March 2015 | www.heraldscotland.com

Highland Councillors have unanimously backed plans for a 14-turbine windfarm on the island of Skye, despite the site earmarked being near the area of the world famous Cuillin Ridge and its resident golden eagles.

Glen Ullinish Wind Farm is to be located between Ose and Struan at Allt Dughaill.

It is projected to boost the local economy and provide over £6m of community benefits in its lifetime, at a rate of £250,000 per year. It will be distributed among the closest communities.

The turbines will be on land owned by the Scottish Government, and developed as a partnership between Kilmac Construction and local crofters

Kilmac say they will generate enough electricity to power 23,000 homes and 10 jobs will be created during construction.

But the Cuillins Special Protection Area (SPA) lies 7.5 miles to the south-east of the development site. The SPA was classified under European Birds Directive in recognition of the golden eagles nesting within the site. However Scottish Natural Heritage did not object. Indeed council officials said there had been remarkably little opposition.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/25/fourteen-turbines-approved-for-skye/