Energy firm dismisses Tom nan Clach wind farm concerns
CLAIMS by objectors that a 17 turbine windfarm on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park would have a significant impact on the landscape were dismissed by the developers at a public inquiry into the proposal.
Mr James Welch, a consultant landscape architect for the developers behind Tom nan Clach, told the inquiry at Carrbridge Village Hall that the scheme would not have a major effect on views of the area.
Mr Welch commented the proposal, made by Nan Clach Ltd, a joint venture between Cawdor Estate and Infinergy Ltd: "I have concluded that there are no landscape or visual effects that are of such significance that render Tom nan Clach unacceptable."
He added: "The choice of site is therefore an appropriate one and is located within a character type that has an appropriate carrying capacity to accommodate a wind farm of this size,"
Mr Welch said he considered it significant that the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Scottish Natural heritage, as statutory consultees, had found the development acceptable, with both stating that its compact nature was an important factor in this.
However, both bodies have concerns regarding the cumulative effect of Tom nan Clach and the neighbouring Glenkirk 26-turbine wind farm proposal which was discussed at a public inquiry also in Carrbridge last week.
Highland Council rejected the proposal for the Tom nan Clach turbines, which would be 110 metres fall from base to wing, so the developers appealed to the Scottish Government and the inquiry was called, in front of reporter Dannie Onn.
Mr Welch said he had walked the area around the site extensively and did not share Highland Council’s view about the impact of the proposed windfarm.
He said he did not accept that the objections to the scheme in landscape and visual terms expressed by Highland Council, several local community councils, Strathdearn Against Windfarm Developments (SAWD) and Save Our Dava (SOD) were well founded.
Mr Welch submitted that the site was located within an upland landsape with the physical characteristics to absorb a wind farm of Tom nan Clach’s size.
He also said its impact would be very localised and would not impact on the proposed Special Landscape Area (SLA) for Drynachan, Lochindorb and its castle, and the Dava or houses five kilmometres away.
Mr Welch said surveys of visits to the Lochindorb beauty spot carried out for him had shown that it was relatively lightly used.
However, the accuracy of these were questioned by James Findlay, a QC representing Highland Council, who also suggested that in any case Mr Welch had "overplayed" this factor as while important it was not central to the council’s objections to the scheme.
Pat Wells, of SAWD, will speak at the Inquiry today (Wednesday) and claim in her precognition – written evidence put before the inquiry – that there is no capacity for any development in the proposed SLA or its surrounding area.
She states: "Approval of Tom nan Clach windfarm would sacrifice yet another wild land area. To permit destruction of a unique and special landscape developed over 12,000 years would be government-sponsored vandalism. We ask that the appeal be refused.
"We feel angry that the wonderful natural heritage of the area is being destroyed by development companies and compliant landowners with no interest in the land other than to exploit it for profit."
SAWD claims that the developers’ document about Tom nan Clach gives the impression that they are "trying to defend the indefensible", particularly as they were advised by Highland Council at the outset that "it was not a good site".
It submits that Tom nan Clach windfarm would have a very significant adverse effect on the SLA and the wild land surrounding it in addition to important viewpoints, designated tourist routes (including the A9 Inverness-Perth road and the B9007 Forres road), the Scotways Hilltrack core path and several recognised visitor locations, including Lochindorb.
Jeannie Munro, of Save Our Dava, will tell the inquiry today that the proposed site has an "underlying spiritual and cultural character" which it was important to preserve, adding: "Any wind farm development would be highly visible in the wide open moorland".
Representatives from Grantown, Carrbridge and Strathdearn Community Councils will also make submissions to the inquiry today and a site visit will take place tomorrow morning.
It follows last week’s public inquiry into proposals by Eurus Energy Ltd to construct 26 wind turbines at nearby Glenkirk. It also appealed to the Government after the council opposed its application.
A final public inquiry into the cumulative effect of Glenkirk and Tom nan Clach will take place next week, starting on Tuesday.
If both schemes get the go ahead objectors say there would effectively be one continuous development of concrete and steel turbines spanning the skyline between the B9007 Carbridge to Glen Ferness Road and the A9 at Tomatin, on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park.
