Highland Council says no to Allt Duine wind farm

Supporters of the Save the Monadhliath Mountains (SMM) campaign have welcomed today’s (Tuesday 17 January) decision by the Highland Council’s Planning Application Committee to object to proposals for a large onshore wind farm at Allt Duine located on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, near the village of Kincraig. The planning application will now be considered by the Scottish Government at a public inquiry.

SMM campaigners believe that to build a wind farm on the very edge of the National Park, in an area of unspoilt wild land, and in an area that the Council wishes to protect, would be devastating and a step too far.

Outdoor author, photographer and former President of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Chris Townsend, is a spokesman for the SMM campaign. Commenting on today’s Highland Council decision, Chris Townsend, said: “After months of tireless campaigning and securing large scale public support, we’re pleased that the Highland Council Area planning committee has objected to the Allt Duine wind farm proposal.

“A huge amount of Scottish natural heritage is at stake and it is crucial that the proposal is assessed thoroughly. The only way to guarantee a meticulous assessment is for the application to be heard at a full Public Inquiry undertaken by the Scottish Government.

“Despite today’s formal objection, this is only the beginning of a long process and we will carry on working with our membership to protect this area of unspoilt natural beauty.”

The overarching objective of the SMM campaign is to ensure the wild landscape of the Monadhliath Mountains and the setting of the Cairngorms National Park is protected.

The Allt Duine wind farm is one of 11 developments (proposed or currently under construction) on the edge of the National Park. Campaigners are increasingly concerned about the cumulative effect of wind power stations on the unspoilt landscape of Scotland’s largest national park – a point echoed by the Cairngorms National Park Authority – and have been urging supporters to ‘Save the Monadhliath Mountains’ over the last few months.

Renowned mountaineer, writer and broadcaster, Cameron McNeish and Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust, Stuart Brooks, are backing the campaign, along with support from over 1,300 supporters and organisations such as Scottish Campaign for National Parks, Walkhighlands and Scotland-Landscapes.