200m turbines near Lybster given green light by Scottish Government
Consent has been granted by Scottish ministers for changes to a proposed wind farm near Lybster.
German developer RWE this week received the go-ahead for a variation to a previously approved planning application for 19 turbines.
The new variation will see the number of turbines reduced to 13, but their maximum blade tip height increase from 130m to 200m.
A number of objections to the altered scheme, which also sees the site operational for 35 years instead of the originally proposed 25 years, were received but the plans were approved by the Energy Consents Unit on Thursday.
Objectors argue the changes should have led to a completely new application.
Aileen Jackson of Scotland Against Spin said: “This means a redesign of access tracks (with potentially different water crossings) and 200m turbines, which not only have completely different visual and noise impacts, but turbine foundations need to be much bigger.

“This isn’t a minor variation or modification, it’s a whole new design and should have had a completely new application.”
Road widening works are currently taking place on the C1053 Achavanich route, which links Lybster with the Causewaymire on the A9, in preparation for the development of the wind farm, with rolling closures in place until the summer.
A traffic order published by Highland Council informed the public that the restrictions would last until June 20, 2025.