Cairngorms turbine plan ‘a wind farm too far’

CAIRNGORMS National Park Authority is to submit an objection to the 20-turbine Cairn Duhie wind farm, against the recommendation of planning officers.

The Cairngorm Mountains, pictured from Grantown on Spey, are at the centre of a wind farm planning row. Picture: Robert Perry

The development is proposed between Grantown-on-Spey and Nairn in the Highlands.

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

The Cairn Duhie wind farm is eight kilometres from the boundary of the national park but would be seen from a limited number of points, according to the planner’s report.

However, authority 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 park authority 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 wind farm too far, especially with the Dava Moor being an iconic route into and out of the park.”