The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has welcomed the news that Scottish Ministers have refused the Allt Duine windfarm due to the unacceptable impact on the Cairngorms National Park and wild land.

The CNPA lodged its objection to the proposed windfarm near Kincraig in May 2011 in response to a Section 36 Scottish Government consultation on the proposal. The 31 turbines would have been sited just outside the Cairngorms National Park – the closest structure being 900 metres from the edge of the Park – and with tracks to the site within the National Park boundary.

The Park Authority objected to proposals on the grounds of the very significant impact it would have on the special qualities of the Park and particularly on the sense of wildness that people can enjoy here.

CNPA Board Convener Duncan Bryden, said: “We are extremely pleased that our concerns about this particular windfarm on the very edge of the Cairngorms National Park have been listened to by Ministers. This would have been the closest windfarm to the Park and was a wholly unacceptable proposal.

“It would have transformed the Monadhliath skyline and contributed to the gradual encircling of the north-western boundary of the Park, with turbines visible from iconic high points like Ben Macdui, Cairn Gorm and Braeriach.

“Many visitors come to the Cairngorms National Park for its mountain landscapes, the long open horizons and to experience a sense of wildness and the CNPA believes it is wise to safeguard their enjoyment and that of future Park users.”

For over 50 years the west side of the Cairngorms has supplied water for hydro schemes in the Tay, Tummel and Lochaber and the Cairngorms National Park Authority remains committed to ensuring appropriate renewable energy production in the Park including small-scale hydro and biomass.