The proposed scheme is at the Dunmaglass Estate, owned by Bahamas-based multi-millionaire Sir Jack Hayward, which adjoins Ms Rausing's Coignafearn Estate.

The legal challenge is the latest twist in a long-running feud between two of the UK's wealthiest people.

Despite objections from more than 1500 people and three community councils, councillors decided in March not to oppose the plans which will be determined by the Scottish Government.

But according to Ms Rausing, the scheme, put forward by Renewable Energy Systems, is against the council's own policy on wind farm developments and she is now seeking a judicial review. A petition has been served on the council outlining three objections.

"The first hearing date is scheduled for November," a council spokesman confirmed.

"In the coming weeks, the council will determine whether it is going to defend the action."

One objection cited in the petition is that the council recorded a decision on an application which had not been made to it.

The council spokesman acknowledged the minutes of the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Applications Committee of 26th March will need to be corrected.

"Planning permission was not granted as the committee does not have this authority," he said. "The committee agreed not to object to the proposal and the minute will be amended to reflect this outcome at the next meeting of the committee."

In the meantime, the council will consider the other two objections in the petition which is also signed by Wylye Valley Farming Ltd.

The petition states: "In its consideration of the approved and adopted development plan, the respondent has conducted no assessment of its own.

"In arriving at its decision, the respondent wrongly ignored and thus failed to take into account its own adopted supplementary planning guidance relating to onshore wind farm developments."

Ms Rausing, the Swedish-born daughter of Hans Rausing who built his immense wealth from the Tetrapak drinks carton manufacturing empire, has spent 12 years restoring Coignafearn. She has been an outspoken critic of the scheme which she fears will turn a fragile wilderness into an industrial site.

Sir Jack, the former owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, had an estimated £120 million fortune, according to last year's Sunday Times Rich List.

* Renewable Energy Systems has submitted a planning application to Highland Council for two 78 metre high meteorological masts at Dunmaglass. Alan Macintyre, project manager for RES, said they would replace the existing masts whose instruments had frozen up during the winter.

v.sweeney@inverness-courier.co.uk

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