{"id":13356,"date":"2015-07-13T14:27:20","date_gmt":"2015-07-13T14:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=13356"},"modified":"2015-07-13T16:00:49","modified_gmt":"2015-07-13T16:00:49","slug":"trust-hails-rejection-of-flow-county-wind-farm-due-to-wild-land-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/trust-hails-rejection-of-flow-county-wind-farm-due-to-wild-land-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Trust hails rejection of Flow Country wind farm due to wild land impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

The John Muir Trust today welcomed the decision by Scotland\u2019s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing to reject an application for a major wind farm adjacent to the East Halladale Flows Wild Land Area in Caithness.<\/p>\n

The development would have led to the erection of 24 turbines up to 456 feet high, as well as foundations roads, tracks, transmission lines and other infrastructure in an area renowned for its unique landscape and ecosystem.<\/p>\n

But following a Public Local Inquiry, the scheme has been rejected because of its potential impact on the Wild Land Areas map, which was developed by Scottish Natural Heritage and underpinned by Scottish Government national planning documents in June 2014.<\/p>\n

The development, proposed by Dorset-based energy company, Infinergy, was opposed by the John Muir Trust and by Highland Council. It also attracted 400 letters of opposition, mainly from the local community. <\/p>\n

\"Protected:<\/a>

Protected: the Flow Country<\/p><\/div>\n

Helen McDade, Head of Policy for the John Muir Trust said: \u201cAs someone who grew up in Caithness<\/a>, I am delighted for the local community which campaigned strongly to protect the unique character of this landscape.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this is also a landmark decision of national significance. The refusal explicitly states that \u2018significant weight should be attached to the policies protecting wild land\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing on top of last week\u2019s decision to reject the Bhein Mhor wind farm application near Glen Affric<\/a>, it sends a clear message to developers that Scotland\u2019s wild land is a valued national asset which merits strong protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Scottish Government now has an opportunity to dispel all remaining doubts over the future of Scotland\u2019s wild land by swiftly rejecting the three remaining applications for large-scale wind farms on wild land, at Glencassley and Sallachy in Sutherland, and Allt Duine in the Monadhliath Mountains.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The John Muir Trust today welcomed the decision by Scotland\u2019s Energy Minister Fergus Ewing to reject an application for a major wind farm adjacent to the East Halladale Flows Wild Land Area in Caithness. The development would have led to the erection of 24 turbines up to 456 feet high, as well as foundations roads, tracks, transmission lines and other infrastructure in an area renowned for its unique landscape and ecosystem. But following a Public Local Inquiry, the scheme has been rejected because of its potential impact on the Wild Land Areas map, which was developed by Scottish Natural Heritage…<\/span> <\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/div>\n

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