Application for Cairnmore Hill wind farm near Thurso 'under consideration'
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The full planning application for a proposed wind farm to the west of Thurso has been submitted by developers RES.
The redesigned Cairnmore Hill wind farm would consist of five turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 138.5m, and RES is seeking permission to build and operate the site for 35 years.
It would include access tracks, a substation, control building, battery energy storage system and ancillary infrastructure.
RES announced in August that it would deliver a community benefit package and pledged to work with local community councils, Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Thurso Community Development Trust to support "local needs and priorities".
A previous application for eight turbines at the same site was turned down by the council, while opponents of the project have claimed it would be "a blot on the landscape" that would be seen from many parts of Caithness and Orkney.
Three people have objected to the proposal on Highland Council’s e-planning portal. Among them, Tamara Sinclair said it would be detrimental to the local economy and affect tourism, while Keith Coghill claimed it would effectively trap nearby residents because their homes would become unsellable.
The application, for land 1.5km south-east of Schoolhouse, Forss, is said to be under consideration. The consultation is open until October 27, with a decision deadline date of January 22, 2023.
RES said the wind farm, if consented, would be capable of generating enough electricity to meet the annual demand of around 24,000 homes. "It also increases energy security by reducing reliance on imports and isn’t subject to sudden price fluctuations or the uncertainty of global markets,” the company said previously.
“With the current cost-of-living crisis and climate change emergency, projects like Cairnmore Hill are crucial to help support the transition to a zero-carbon future."
