Wild Land News no 57, Spring 2003

A Wind Farm to Farr Article

The Wild Land Group has been keeping a watching brief on the ever-growing number of applications for wind farms in various locations in Scotland. It can be difficult to comment on individual applications because of the shortage of time, resources, and the problem of getting detailed information on the application. The Group has tended to concentrate its efforts on lobbying at the national level to try to ensure that intrusive renewable energy projects (of whatever generating source) do not encroach significantly on land with high wildness qualities.

An application for a wind farm at Farr, near Tomatin, Inverness-shire by National Wind Power was one that the Group did study in more depth and we sent comments into Highland Council. As the scheme is over 50 megawatts in capacity, the application is decided by the Scottish Executive. The local Council is asked to take a view on the application, and usually treats it like a normal planning application. Instead of giving a decision, it gives its views e.g. 'minded to approve/refuse' to the Executive.

One of the interesting causes for concern to several of the objectors to the Farr wind farm is the proposed loss of a large area of carbon store, i.e. the peat bog - both from the turbine and base construction but also the long, wide access road. In view of climate change and carbon credits, the erosion of some peat bog is seen by some as a loss of significant carbon store capabilities, and thus an adverse cost to society. Recently carbon credits are having a cost attached to them (and traded), so why could Scotland's peat bog resource not be costed and included in the equation for any development proposal?

The Group expressed its comments to Highland Council - mainly on the landscape/visual impact of this large scheme, together with the impact of the access road and ancillary buildings that would be constructed. Lobbying by those concerned by the scheme, including the Group, did bring about a revision at the last minute from the developers, with a removal of 5 prominent turbines from the application.

At the end of February, the Council's Planning Committee inspected the site and met to decide that they were 'minded to approve' this scheme. The ball is now in the hands of the Scottish Executive.

A scheme such as this further convinces the Group of the need to positively direct wind farms to less sensitive locations, and for local authorities to identify areas of wild land that should not be burdened by such intrusions.

Alistair Cant

Footnote: the SWLG annual members' meeting is to be held in Fort Augustus in May 2003 and a visit to the Farr area is being planned. See the separate notice for details.