A PLAN to build a huge wind farm near Strathy has “broad local support,” according to the company behind the project. The 39 turbine project, proposed by SSE 12 kilometers south of the village of Sutherland, was challenged by the Highland Council in 2014 before being approved by Scottish ministers in 2018 following a local public inquiry. It is now due to be presented again to local authorities next week, after a Section 36C request was submitted to Scottish ministers by SSE last year to vary the height of the peak and increase the capacity of production of 133 to 208 megawatts.

The request also includes reviews of access tracks and the replacement of authorized weather masts with permanent LiDAR equipment, while two more years of breeding bird surveys will also be undertaken.

Many residents back the plan and say the wind farm will give the area a boost, bring jobs and funds to the community, but critics say the region’s group of wind farms will create a wall of wind turbines. and will impact the visual effect of the world famous stream Country. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the site was unsuitable due to the risk to surrounding species and habitats and opposed the plan.

Among those supporting the project is Strathy resident Carol-Anne Farquhar, who said: “We were really disappointed that the strong local support was not represented on the planning committee the last time the Highland Council was seated. ‘is opposed to the proposal, so we hope our Neighborhood Councilors and Planning Committee members hear our voices loud and clear this time around. We have seen what projects like this can do for fragile rural communities like ours. Strathy North Wind Farm, another of the HSE projects they built a few years ago, has brought so many benefits to the area, including vital jobs, jobs, busier local stores, and suppliers of local accommodation that can remain open in winter. This has given the area a real boost and our local community groups continue to benefit from SSE’s Strathy North Community Fund. “

Strathy Point resident Jessie MacLeod said, “I am a small farmer, in my 80s, who has lived here all my life. The impacts of climate change must be taken seriously. I have seen a lot of changes here in my life. – in particular the progressive loss of bird species such as corncrake – as well as the loss of another of our endangered species “our young”. Nothing has brought so much investment and opportunity to this remote region, with such little impact, as SSE’s first wind farm. That’s why Strathy South has such local support – it’s because of renewable energy, peatland restoration, jobs and employment, and funding from our community. It is much more than just a wind farm. “

Patsy Macaskill, who runs a B&B at Strathy Point, said: “We were all very skeptical of Strathy North and I am not personally a fan of all wind farms, but SSE has kept its promises with Strathy North and worked closely to ensure that the project really benefited the community.

SSE Project Manager for Strathy South, Jon Soal, is “delighted†with the local support given to the project. “We worked closely with the community during the construction of Strathy North and listened carefully to people’s perspectives to ensure that we considered local needs and priorities where possible. This approach has resulted in a good relationship which we hope to develop with Strathy South to ensure that we maximize the benefits to the project area. “

If approved, the wind farm could power up to 317,000 homes, generate 53 jobs in the Highlands region and around £ 13.7million in community funding in addition to local jobs and employment. SSE has also embarked on a habitat management plan that would help restore over 2,660 hectares of peatlands – both on and off site.

Strathy South is due to appear before the Highland Council’s Northern Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday, June 8, although the final decision will be made by Scottish ministers.

Do you want to respond to this article? If yes, click here submit your thoughts and they can be published in print.