Windfarm consultations: no objection from CNPA

Planning officers at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) are proposing “no objection” to two windfarm consultations it has been asked to respond to by the Scottish Government.

A 20-turbine development between Grantown-on-Spey and Nairn and a 16-turbine windfarm at Hill of Towie near Keith are up for discussion at this week’s (Friday 7 February) CNPA planning committee meeting.

The proposed windfarms – Cairn Duhie and Hill of Towie II – are deemed not to have a significant impact on the special qualities of the Cairngorms National Park, according to the planner’s report, which will go before committee members at their meeting in Ballater.

The Cairn Duhie windfarm is some 8km from the boundary of the Cairngorms National Park but will be seen from a limited number of points according to the report, while the Hill of Towie II project is adjacent to an existing 21-turbine windfarm and lies 22km from the Park boundary.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, planning Officer Katherine Donnachie said: “Generally we are supportive of renewable energy projects but large scale windfarms are not appropriate within the Park or where they affect its setting, given the landscape value of the Park. We have a very strong policy framework to protect the Cairngorms National Park and its landscape setting from the adverse impact of windfarms and that includes the impacts of windfarms around the edge of the Park.

“We do not object to all windfarms near the Park as a matter of course – careful consideration is given to each and every windfarm application that the Park Authority is asked to comment on. On this occasion, and after a rigorous assessment with regards the implications for the National Park, we are recommending to members that we do not formally object to these two applications.”

To access these planning papers in full or to view the agenda for Friday’s meeting please click here: https://cairngorms.co.uk/meeting/planning-2014-02-07/