Planning Committee object to Cairn Duhie

The Planning Committee of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is to submit an objection to the 20-turbine Cairn Duhie windfarm, despite planning officers’ recommending not to.

The development between Grantown-on-Spey and Nairn was up for discussion at today’s (Friday 7^th February) CNPA planning committee meeting in Ballater.

Planners had concluded that Cairn Duhie did not have a significant impact on the special qualities of the Cairngorms National Park but did recognise its proximity to the Park boundary and the cumulative impact it would have.

The Cairn Duhie windfarm is some 8km from the boundary of the Cairngorms National Park but would be seen from a limited number of points according to the planner’s report.

However, members felt that the landscape setting and the cultural integrity of the Park were at risk and unanimously agreed to submit an objection to the proposals.

Eleanor Mackintosh, the convener of the CNPA planning committee said: “While we understand the reason behind the planning officer’s recommendation there was a very strong feeling among members that – for many reasons – this was a windfarm too far, especially with the Dava Moor being an iconic route into and out of the Park.”

To read the planner’s report please go here: https://cairngorms.co.uk/meeting/planning-2014-02-07/