May 18, 2015
Scotland

Windfarm bid branded ‘insane’ by Outlander author dealt another blow

By Jamie Buchan | The Courier | 16 May 2015 | www.thecourier.co.uk

Highly controversial plans for a giant Perthshire windfarm which Outlander author Diana Gabaldon branded “insane” could be killed off after a formal objection from council chiefs.

The proposed 24-turbine development at Loch Rannoch was fiercely criticised by the bestselling US writer who argued it would harm Scottish tourism.

The multi-million-pound scheme has also been opposed by a cross-party committee of politicians and described as a “knife in the heart of Scotland’s beauty” by conservationists the John Muir Trust.

Now Perth and Kinross Council has lodged a “holding objection” against the so-called Talladh a Bheithe plan, demanding outstanding environmental information from Netherlands-based developer Eventus BV.

The local authority’s development management planning officer John Russell said the paperwork was meant to have been submitted by early February.

“As this has not been forthcoming the planning authority has not been able to finalise a report to committee,” he said.

A council spokeswoman confirmed that a holding objection had been submitted to the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit “to reserve our position on the application”.

She added: “When additional information is provided by the applicant, the holding objection will be reviewed and a report submitted to the council’s development management committee.”

Douglas Wynn of the Keep Rannoch Wild campaign welcomed the latest development.

“We’re pleased the council has joined other statutory consultees including Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Cairngorms National Park Authority in objecting to this unacceptable damaging proposal,” he said.

No one from Eventus was available for comment last night. In December, the firm requested more time to compile all its submissions.

If approved, rows of 450ft turbines would be created on wild land between Loch Rannoch and Loch Ericht.

Outlander author Gabaldon, 63, said: “Frankly, given the undoubted economic value of tourism to Scotland, it seems insane to sacrifice one of its most scenic landscapes for the sake of an electrical pittance.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/05/18/windfarm-bid-branded-insane-by-outlander-author-dealt-another-blow/