May 11, 2022
Letters, Scotland

Sallachy Wind Farm objections casually dismissed

LETTERS: Sallachy Wind Farm objections ‘casually dismissed’ | The Northern Times | 08 May 2022 | www.northern-times.co.uk

The shocking North Planning Applications Committee meeting of April 26 granted a wind farm on designated wildland at Sallachy, despite many concerning objections from highly reputable organisations such as NatureScot, Mountaineering Scotland, the John Muir Trust, and SSE Renewables. These were either casually dismissed or ignored.

Watching the meeting live, I was horrified at the lack of debate or due consideration, other than a nod to Rogart Community Council’s objection to the massive 560 per cent increase in HGV traffic which will result from this development.

This proposal was previously approved by Highland Council but rejected by Scottish Ministers, and has now been resubmitted at just 0.1mw below the threshold required for Scottish Ministers. The nine gigantic, 500ft turbines – each the height of a 38-storey building – are to go on low sloping hills by Loch Shin.

Wind energy is hugely inefficient and needs to be supplemented by non-renewable fossil fuels. They take up vast areas of natural scenic beauty and only return approximately four per cent of our energy in the UK.

Ignored by the planning committee, I wish to highlight the unfeasibility of the roadways – I measured the A838 road myself and it is over a metre short of the requirement for HGVs for wind turbines. This historic road and bridges will need to be widened/strengthened considerably more than reported, where there is little room for widening.

Also, SSE Renewables received no consultation from the developer nor any request to use existing assets nor infrastructure, including access roads, which SSE own! SSE objected due to the potential impact upon the safe operation of the “significant system of interconnected hydro assets” in close proximity to the proposed development.

It is no wonder that England is literally laughing at Scotland. On national TV “Have I Got News for You” recently, wind farms were mentioned and how the English are “breathing a sigh of relief” as they are nearly all going to be developed in Scotland.