The go-ahead for Baillie Wind Farm Ltd's 21-turbine scheme on ground at Bardnaheigh and Stempster follows a seven-day public inquiry in Thurso in March.

The decision has been warmly welcomed by local farmer Tom Pottinger whose family is spearheading the £80 million venture, with the support of giant Norwegian energy utility Statkraft.

Opponents voiced deep disappointment with the go-ahead for a development they claim will blight the area.

Mr Pottinger, who farms at Baillie, said: "We're obviously very pleased with the decision, especially given all the effort, hard work and time we have put into it.

"We'd like to thank the people who have supported us who are too numerous to mention. It is going to be a great benefit to the community."

He added: "Though we have got the go-ahead, there's a huge amount of work ahead of us to get the wind farm built and operational."

Mr Pottinger said the announcement has come hard on the heels of the green light for the major upgrade of the Beauly to Denny power line.

The latter development, he said, will give a shot in the arm to all renewable energy developments in the Far North.

Objectors claim the turbines will have an unacceptable impact on the landscape, nearby residents, important archaeological sites and birdlife.

Stuart Young, of Caithness Wind Farm Information Forum, yesterday said the outcome is extremely disappointing.

"I thought we had made a very good case for rejecting the scheme," he said. "What I thought would have swung it was when the reporter went to look at the nearest houses to the turbines on Baillie Hill.

"Why have guidelines and policies on the effect of turbines on residential amenity when they can be overturned so readily."

Mr Young said the only way of challenging the decision was by a judicial review which would be prohibitive in terms of cost.

He is unhappy that objectors so far have been unable to access a copy of the reporter's findings.

He said: "We've been stonewalled so far - they seem very reluctant to let us see it."

At the inquiry, 829 people indicated support for the wind farm and 433 were against. Reporter David Russell recommended in favour of the turbines, which will have a blade-tip height of 110 metres. The 52.5 megawatt scheme will supply almost 25,000 homes via the upgraded line.

It is expected to create 30 construction jobs and three or four operational jobs, as well as contributing about £100,000 a year to a community benefit scheme.

* Does Caithness have enough wind farms? Go to 'The Big Vote' to have your say.

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