Farmer warns Swarclett wind turbines will be ‘blight on valued landscape’
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A Caithness farmer has warned that two wind turbines will be “a blight on a valued landscape” and will upset his livestock if they are allowed to go ahead.
Ronald Sandison, of Smerral Farm, is among a group of residents in the Bowertower area opposing Swarclett Wind Farm, which will be within 800 metres of some properties.
Renewable energy company Wind2 is seeking to build the turbines, each with a maximum blade-tip height of 149.9 metres, on land between Bower and Durran. A battery energy storage system is also part of the development.
Four generations of the Sandison family have worked the land there. Mr Sandison’s farm extends to around 550 acres, with about 120 cattle and 100 breeding ewes.
“These monstrosities will be a blight on a valued landscape enjoyed by many,” he said. “Unusually for Caithness it’s a landscape that is unaffected by the presence of turbines.
“It is so close to my property that livestock will be unsettled, which will affect production.
“Longer term, we’d planned on retiring to the old croft that lies almost directly under the proposed turbines. Nobody would want to live so close and suffer the inevitable noise and other disturbances.
“The area is currently a haven for all sorts of wildlife, including hares, curlews and deer, and is an almost magical environment. All species would be affected by the proposed wind farm and would be unlikely to return.
“This wind farm proposal is a prime example of a few greedy people being prepared to make money at the expense of the quality of life and environment of many others. Would you do this to your neighbours? No? I wouldn’t either.”
Residents have set up a campaign called No to Swarclett with its own website and Facebook group which has 92 members.
They are concerned that 10 properties will be within 1500 metres of the wind farm and four properties will be even closer, at around 800m.
A planning application is due to be lodged by May.
The group insists the development is “not needed” and says: “Even if the planning proposal is rejected, residents will have suffered months of concern and worry about what is to become of their property and their peaceful lives.”
Nicola and Mark Paterson manage Morvenview Caravan Site at Bowertower, which has a view towards Dunnet Bay. They claim the turbines would be “devastating”.
Mrs Paterson said: “Why on earth would anyone want to destroy this environment?
“Our fears are for the business. As with an increasing number of caravan sites in Caithness, who is going to choose one in such close proximity to the turbines?
“The whole area would be blighted by this development. As people travel from Castletown to Wick, the view is of a wonderful Caithness agricultural landscape. These turbines would change everything over a much wider area and have a devastating impact.”
Another resident, Jan Lawler, says she has previous experience of being close to turbines as there was one near a livery yard where she kept her horses.
“Until it’s too late, many people just don’t realise how overpowering they are,” she said. “They will dominate your life if you are this close to them. You simply can’t escape the noise and other effects.”
The wind farm site is close to a standing stone known as the Stone Lud, which is closely associated with the death of the 10th-century Orkney earl Ljot Thorfinnsson.
Wind2, which is based in north-east Wales with staff in Scotland, has held public exhibitions in Bower and Castletown.
According to the company’s website, the project will have a total installed capacity of around 20 megawatts if approved by Highland Council.
Wind2 project manager Hannah Brown said: “The Swarclett wind farm project aims to assist in achieving national renewable energy targets whilst carefully ensuring no significant impact to its setting. An environmental impact assessment has been conducted and will be available to view within the planning application documents to be submitted to Highland Council in May.
“We acknowledge the concerns from the local residents and appreciate their time in attending our public exhibitions held in both Bower and Castletown. Following receipt of the residents’ feedback from our first round of public exhibitions held in summer 2023, we have amended our community benefit and electricity contribution scheme proposals.
“The current proposal is to set up a Near Neighbours Electricity Contribution scheme for residents within 2km of each turbine. This would allow residents within the 2km boundary to claim £600 per property per annum to assist in covering their electricity bills, for the life of the project.
“There is an option to capitalise this payment to contribute towards the likes of solar panels or heat pump installation, if that was preferable.
“The remainder of the funds set aside for community benefit would be split between Bower and Castletown communities, as the project sits within each community council area. This is standard practice.”
