Wind farm approved with bird protection
Ministers have approved plans for a 35- turbine wind farm near Sutherland subject to conditions to protect breeding birds.They ignored calls for a public enquiry from campaigners, who claimed that the development will have a detrimental effect on the landscape and tourism.
The Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) development at Gordonbush will be capable of generating 87.5MW, enough to power 37,000 homes. It is the 11th energy determination made by the Scottish National Party took power last May.
‘We have always said we want the right projects in the right places,’ said energy minister Jim Mather. ‘Gordonbush wind farm will come close to the Caithness and Sutherland peat lands special protection area and will be a good example of operating in harmony with the environment.’
SSE chief executive Ian Marchant said: ‘While the proposal has spent five years in the planning system, there are signs that the process is beginning to speed up.’
Planning April 18 2008