The 30-turbine development earmarked for grazing land near Spittal was recommended for approval by officials.

Had the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross area planning committee given the thumbs-up, it would have been fast-tracked and almost certainly approved by Scottish ministers. But the opposition of the local authority means the £112 million venture tabled by Spittal Wind Farm Ltd will now go before a public local inquiry.

Councillors backed Scottish Natural Heritage's objection that the turbines - between 100 and 110 metres to the top of their blades - would blight the open, expansive landscape.

At the meeting in Halkirk there was also a call for the Scottish Government to commission a study on just how many wind farms Caithness can accommodate.

The 77.5 megawatt scheme attracted 1437 objectors and 1253 letters of support. Opponents claim the turbines would have an unacceptable impact on the landscape and adversely affect the day-to-day lives of nearby residents.

The proposal, they argue, would also be bad news for tourism and protected birdlife.

Supporters highlight the scheme's contribution towards the Government's green energy drive and the economic spin-offs it will generate.

Planning official Gordon Mooney was happy the scheme complied with the area development blueprint and recommended no objection be made. He said the area is not covered by any landscape designations.

"While valued locally, Spittal Hill is not in itself of significant landscape value in a Caithness or a Highland context," he explained. "Existing wind farms at Causewaymire and Boulfruich demonstrate that parts of the Caithness landscape can absorb large-scale onshore wind farms."

Mr Mooney maintained the Spittal Hill scheme would not create a "wind farm landscape".

He believed SNH's objection relates more to the perceived cumulative impact the development would have on designated areas to the south-west.

While the site is deemed unsuitable for wind farms in the Highland Renewable Energy Strategy, he said this document has been superseded by new planning guidance issued by the Scottish Government.

While the wind farm would be highly visible from many parts of Caithness, he did not consider it would be unacceptable. Nor did he think the presence of 17 or so houses within a kilometre of a turbine warranted rejection of the scheme.

Local councillor David Bremner said the council has to take heed of SNH's objection.

He said: "For me, the most important aspect of this is the visual impact on a number of properties and the cumulative impact on them and the wider area."

Mr Bremner supported SNH's view that the turbines would impact on the distinctiveness of the landscape.

He said: "SNH is quite clear that this is a landscape which is of national importance and one which would be compromised by this development."

Mr Bremner said that during the pre-meeting bus tour of the site, it was clear a number of single houses would be badly affected, as would residents of Spittal, who would be 1.2 kilometres from a turbine.

Taking issue with Mr Mooney, he claimed the existing wind farms at Causewaymire and Boulfruich "fit poorly" into their surroundings, especially when viewed from the north. Mr Bremner added that he has concerns about noise and shadow flicker from the turbines, both of which he said can be most appropriately addressed at an inquiry.

Landward Caithness colleague David Flear said the bus tour had clearly showed up the dominating impact the wind farm would have on adjoining communities. While the landscape is not designated, he said it is plainly an area of natural beauty.

He said: "Spittal Hill is one of the highest points in Caithness. By the time you put turbines up there, it would be about the highest point, apart from Morven and Scaraben."

Mr Flear compared the cumulative impact of the existing and proposed wind farms to scenes in Westerns where Indians corral cowboys behind their wagons.

Easter Ross member Richard Durham maintained the scheme clearly conflicts with the council's development plan.

He said: "In this case, I believe we should be supporting SNH's position."

Mr Durham is unhappy about the number and scale of wind farms built and proposed for Caithness.

He said: "If you look at the schemes that are in the pipelines, Caithness is going to be covered in wind turbines. It's happening faster than we think.

"I think it really is time the Scottish Government commissions a bit of work that will help assess the cumulative impact of wind farms in Caithness and just how many wind farms can be sustained in the county."

Wick member Bill Fernie also put his weight behind the SNH stance.

He said: "My own assessment is opposite to the official recommendation."

Committee chairman Thurso councillor Donnie Mackay said: "We're in danger of having too many wind farms in Caithness and spoiling the beauty of the county."

Wick councillor Graeme Smith was unhappy the council's renewable energy strategy should have to play second fiddle to government guidelines in the committee's assessment of the scheme. He said: "If that is the case, we might as well not be here."

Mr Smith focused on three turbines which he said would have a dominating effect on traffic on the A882.

He proposed that the committee should not object if the three turbines are removed. His amendment found no support against the motion to object to the scheme in its entirety.

Councillor Robert Coghill took no part in the discussion as he said a number of members of his family had submitted objections.

Likewise, Councillor Marion Thurso did not take part in light of the recent call by her husband, local MP John Thurso, for a moratorium on wind farm developments in Caithness.

As councillors arrived at the meeting at Halkirk's Ross Institute, they were met by placard-wielding objectors.

After the meeting, Stuart Young, chairman of Caithness Windfarm Information Forum (CWIF), said: "We're obviously delighted with the outcome. It was particularly pleasing to see the change in stance of some of the councillors."

Mr Young said CWIF would support the commissioning of a study to gauge the capacity Caithness has for more wind farms.

Tom Pottinger, director of Spittal Hill Windfarm Ltd, said he was disappointed by the outcome.

"If this does not go ahead, it would deprive the local community of hundreds of thousands of pounds through community benefit and community ownership of turbines," he said.

"Local businesses would also benefit by up to £20m through the construction and quarrying industries while our commitment to establish an archaeological centre at Spittal would help increase the number of tourists coming to the area."

Mr Pottinger, who farms at Westfield, regretted that the councillors failed to mention the benefits of the development in terms of carbon dioxide savings and the contribution towards energy security.

He added: "We have got tremendous renewable energy potential here and we have got to look to realising it."

iain-grant@ukf.net

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---