Campaigners attack ‘autocratic’ minister after go-ahead for wind farm 

Ministers have been accused of “autocratic” behaviour after overruling advice from [their own] officials and approving plans for 200-metre-tall wind turbines at a Highlands beauty spot.

Approval has been given for the construction of 11 turbines and several battery storage units at the site in Strath Oykel in Sutherland.

Highland councillors twice rejected the plans by EnergieKontor UK, the British arm of a German company, warning of the likely impact on the local landscape.

A public inquiry found that the project would have “significant adverse visual and residential amenity effects” on people living in the nearby villages of Rosehall, Brae, Doune and Altass.

Critics have accused the government of “autocratic” behaviour after Alasdair Allan, the minister for climate action, overruled the advice of the government’s own planning appeal and ignored 234 public objections to allow the project to go ahead.

Highland council said it was considering a legal challenge to the decision.

The turbines, which will be three times the height of the Wallace Monument, will feature bright red aviation warning lights, further adding to concerns about their visual impact on the area.

Government officials also highlighted risks to the local ecology, warning that the project could threaten the survival of Atlantic salmon and critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels in the River Oykel, a designated special area of conservation.

There are already 38 turbines in the area between the Rosehall and Achany wind farms, and existing permissions for further developments could bring the total in the region to 179. No Ring of Steel Kyle of Sutherland (NORoS), a local campaign group, argued that the cumulative impact of these projects would be overwhelming.

Shona Paterson, a member of Creich community council, said: “Highland councillors have stood by us and unanimously agreed that this is the wrong place at the wrong time for any further such developments. Our communities have already done and are continuing to do more than our fair share of helping to meet the Scottish government’s renewable targets.

“Yet, the government continues to demonstrate an autocratic total disregard for the people, ecology and biodiversity of our most beautiful rural Highland communities.

“They have taken a one-size-fits-all approach in their head-long rush to meet their misguided view of net zero. We are totally sickened that the government have even overruled their own knowledgeable and experienced officials to force through this project through the planning system.”

Planning appeal officials concluded that the project would not be in the public interest due to its detrimental effects on local residents and the environment. They also cast doubt on the project’s contribution to the government’s 2030 climate targets, stating it was “contrary” to the onshore wind policy statement.

The policy, launched in 2022, aims to deploy 20 gigawatts of onshore wind by 2030 but emphasises that developments must take place in appropriate locations. Highland council has argued that the Strath Oykel project does not meet the “right development in the right place” criteria.

Local campaigners have also raised concerns about the potential impact on the region’s economy, which heavily relies on tourism, salmon fishing and wildlife-related activities. The Kyle of Sutherland District Salmon Fisheries Board has warned that the construction and operation of the wind farm, including a possible new bridge over the River Oykel, could harm salmon and sea trout populations.

Tisi Dutton, a member of NORoS, said: “The economy of local communities is highly dependent on the salmon fishing, wildlife tourism and tourism in general.

“A reasonable balance must be struck between meeting green targets and protecting the rich biodiversity of our countryside.

“People of the area are exhausted, and our mental health and wellbeing is being significantly impacted by the continual deluge of windfarm applications.

“It is crucial that the green agenda does not become a blanket policy of destruction, as is being proposed in the Kyle of Sutherland.”

The development site, covering 1,400 acres of forest, is located 180 metres from the River Oykel. The conservation area is home to a wide range of wildlife, including hen harriers, white-tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, red kites, ospreys, otters, red squirrels and water voles.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “We need bold action to tackle the climate emergency and Scotland has extensive renewable generation capabilities with which to accelerate the just transition to net zero by 2045. We are clear that increasing renewable energy must benefit people across Scotland.

“Potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including the cumulative effects of developments, are important considerations in the decision-making process. The Scottish ministers have given full detailed reasons in their determination of this wind farm which is available to view on the Scottish government’s website.”