More turbines could be on horizon near Loch Ness as Highland councillors will be recommended not to object to controversial plans for 14-turbine Corriegarth 2 Wind Farm
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Controversial plans for 14 new turbines near Loch Ness will be recommended for approval despite objections from nearby communities citing adverse visual and ecological impacts.
Plans for the Corriegarth 2 Wind Farm at Gorthleck to the south of the loch have been submitted to the Scottish Government by renewable energy developer BayWa r.e. UK.
It initially submitted an application for 16 turbines in January 2021 but following consultation, two turbines have been removed and eight turbines relocated in the plans.
The turbines, with a blade tip height of 149.9m, would be next to the existing 23-turbine Corriegarth Wind Farm and are expected to generate more than 67.2MW of electricity.
The proposals will be discussed on Thursday by Highland Council’s south planning applications committee which will be recommended not to object subject to conditions being met. The proposal is a Section 36 application and a final decision will be made by Scottish Ministers.
But Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council, Glenurquhart Community Council and others have objected, raising concerns about the cumulative impact of more turbines.
Glenurquhart Community Council says the site is next to Loch Ness and the gateway to the West Coast, Skye and Western Isles and will be visible from the A82 and the A9 in the Cairngorm National Park.
It also maintains the turbines will add substantially to the cumulative effect to the views from Meall Fuar-mhonaid – a nearby landmark hill.
“The proposed additional turbines are to be located around the periphery of the site adding to the intrusive nature of the development,” it states.
“This will have an adverse impact on a beautiful landscape, and wild land area, important to hill walkers, visitors and the local population.”
The community council is also concerned about the removal of a large area of blanket bog.
“This is irreversible and unacceptable,” it states. “No compensation action on the site can replace this.”
A report by planning officers to go to next week’s meeting states the Scottish Government gives considerable commitment to renewable energy and encourages planning authorities to support the development of wind farms where they can operate successfully and concerns can be satisfactorily addressed.
Officers acknowledge objections have been received but also state no objections have been received from technical consultees subject to recommended planning conditions, or from SEPA or from NatureScot.
The report states: “Whilst officers recognise and acknowledge the potential significant impacts (namely in relation to landscape and visual impacts) these are considered on balance to be acceptable when all matters are taken into account.”
It states the applicant has worked with officers on the design iterations and that modifications have significantly improved the scheme.
It says further mitigation of the impacts can be secured by the recommended planning conditions.
The development will provide about £11.4 million in community benefit during its 30-year lifetime.
Jilly Adams, BayWa r.e.’s project manager, said Corriegarth 2 had been designed to make use of existing wind farm tracks and electrical connection.
“The changes made to the wind farm through the planning process have been incorporated following thorough engagement with stakeholders and we would like to thank both statutory consultees and the community for their input on the project to date,” she said.
