Swarclett turbines will have ‘massive negative impact’, councillors are told
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Highland councillors have been told that plans for two wind turbines at Bowertower will have a “massive negative impact” on the surrounding area.
Campaigners opposed to Swarclett Wind Farm claim it will create “no sustainable employment opportunities for local people” and will be harmful to birdlife.
They also say the very idea of it is causing sleepless nights for nearby residents.
Renewable energy company Wind2, based in Wales, wants 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 project.
Residents are concerned that 10 properties will be within 1500 metres of the wind farm and four properties will be even closer, at around 800m.
They have set up a campaign called No to Swarclett with its own website and a Facebook group which now has 100 members.
A planning application is expected in May.
In a letter to the four Highland councillors for Thurso and Northwest Caithness, the campaigners say: “We are greatly disturbed about the prospect of yet another wind farm in Caithness.
“The wide-open landscape that makes Caithness so unique is already dominated by so many large wind turbines. These existing wind turbines generate massive profits for the developers, and a passive income for a small number of landowners, whilst creating no sustainable employment opportunities for local people.
“This proposed development is no different, proposed by a company from Wales that is directly associated with a company in France, designed to channel funds out of Highland whilst leaving locals to pay the price in loss of amenity, noise and other disruption.
“The area proposed for the development is only 800m from four residences, whilst six others are within 1500m. For these residents the turbines will have a massive negative impact, with two 149.9m turbines dwarfing any other features in the landscape.
“In fact, a number of our group are already reporting sleepless nights as a result of the proposed development.
“Additionally, this area is a haven for birds, with multiple pairs of breeding curlew returning to the area year after year. Unfortunately, research indicates that wind turbines will drive curlews away, a tragedy for a species that is in serious decline and was once so numerous in Caithness.
“The area is also home to countless species of small birds, waders, seabirds and bats as well as birds of prey. The impact the proposed development will have on this diverse population of wildlife has already been dismissed by the developer, Wind2, at a number of community engagement events.”
The group has written separately to the Highland councillors for Wick and East Caithness.
According to the Swarclett Wind Farm website, the project will have a total installed capacity of around 20 megawatts if approved by Highland Council.
Project manager Hannah Brown said: “Our environmental impact assessment [EIA] assesses the employment related to the development. Whilst the construction phase is short, local jobs will be prioritised throughout this phase with local contractors utilised at every opportunity.
“During the operational phase of 30 years, the EIA has indicated that there will be two to four full-time jobs for local people. If consented, crucially, this project will also enable local farming families to farm sustainably going forward and help cross subsidise farming operations.
“The EIA is a standard methodology that assesses the impact from a proposed development on wildlife within the vicinity of the project and is fully compliant with NatureScot guidance.
“The EIA has assessed impact on many things, including ecology and ornithology. These studies indicate the project will not have a significant impact on birds or ecological interests (including non-avian wildlife).
“The results of the EIA topics that most exhibition visitors were interested in at our first round of events last year, including ornithology, were available to view at the second round of exhibitions.
“Other key points visitors to the exhibitions were interested in were also on display at the events and these included details on the community benefit fund and our Near Neighbours Electricity Contribution Scheme.
“The full EIA will be available to read once the planning application has been submitted to Highland Council in May.”
Related stories:
Swarclett group in ‘mutiny’ claim over Caithness energy projects
Bowertower residents take up fight against wind turbine ‘monstrosities’
Farmer warns Swarclett wind turbines will be ‘blight on valued landscape’
Wind farm near Castletown could start in 2027 and create up to 15 jobs, says developer
Wind2 held two public exhibitions last summer, followed by two more earlier this year – one in Bower and one in Castletown.
