SSE vows to ‘restore trees’ as felling operation to get under way at Forss to make way for Strathy South turbine parts
SSE has vowed to replant at least twice as many trees as it fells as part of a controversial scheme to remove hardwood species to make way for turbine deliveries at Forss.
Concerns had been voiced over the loss of 28 mature trees – which the energy firm later reduced to 26 – from the protected woodland alongside the A836 north coast road.
Forss House Hotel owner Nick Dent, whose business owns the woodland, said it had little choice but to accept the proposals and work with SSE to mitigate some of the damage. Highland Council agreed to the works which it said would not damage the overall character of the woodland protected by the tree preservation order.
Now SSE Renewables, which is removing the trees to make way for turbine lorries to pass the narrow stretch of road on their journey from Scrabster Harbour to the Strathy South wind farm in Sutherland, has confirmed it will replant the lost trees “on a two-for-one” basis.
The move will see at least 60 new trees – more than two-for-one – of the same broad-leaf species as those being cleared, planted as part of what it calls a “planned tree restoration programme”.
Mr Dent previously explained that the plans would see an area of old plantation trees cleared of storm-damaged specimens and new species planted in the area.
SSE also said that a number of the 26 trees being removed had been identified as being in a state of decline during surveys carried out to inform the works.
It added that tree removal along the Forss road was necessary to facilitate the upcoming delivery of wind turbine components via the A836 to the Strathy South wind farm construction site.
From Monday, works to remove the 26 trees in a stretch of the woodland alongside the road will begin.
A traffic management plan has been agreed in consultation with Highland Council and will be in place for the duration of the works, SSE explained. The works are expected to be completed by November 30.
The replacement hardwood tree planting programme will take place in spring 2026. Planting will be undertaken principally in the grounds of Forss House Hotel, as well as along the roadside edge of Forss Wood alongside the A836, the company said.
It added that once completed, the planting programme would result in a larger number of trees in the woodland area, representing a net gain in local biodiversity and enhancing the woodland area for future community amenity.
Michael Scott, Strathy South project manager at SSE Renewables, said: “We’re pleased to be able to provide further details on our plans to restore trees next spring to the woodland area along Forss Road.
“Thanks to our ongoing engagement with the local community and key stakeholders, we will be able to replant any trees we need to remove with healthy hardwood specimens on a two-for-one basis.
“By doubling the number of hardwood trees in this stretch of area, we will leave a positive legacy for the community and for future generations. We would like to express our thanks to local landowners, public representatives, and Highland Council for their assistance in the development of these expanded replanting plans.”
SSE said that the planned tree works and replanting have been informed and agreed following extensive and detailed arboricultural and environmental surveys conducted over the last 18 months. This extensive survey work has resulted in appropriate environmental mitigation being put in place and has helped ensure the final number of trees to be removed has been strictly limited.
Delivery of turbine components to Strathy South will be conducted in due course by a specialist blade delivery contractor and under police escort in line with standard practice. Advance notice will be provided to the community and key stakeholders prior to delivery to minimise inconvenience to local road users.