RSPB challenges 4 major windfarm developments

The wildlife charity has lodged a legal challenge against the consent granted by Scottish Ministers to developments in the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay last October.

Combining hundreds of turbines the the Inch Cape, Neart na Gaoithe and Seagreen Alpha and Bravo projects could provide 2.284 gigawatts of power, enough to power over 1.4m homes every year.

Consent was given under strict conditions to mitigate any potential environmental impact, and backing was given by environmental groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland.

However the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland objected to the plans and raised fears over the proximity of seabird colonies.

Large colonies of gannet, kittiwake, puffin and razorbill breed along the coastlines near the wind farm sites, including the 110,000 gannet colony at the Bass Rock and puffin breeding grounds at the Isle of May.

The matter is now set to be decided at the Court of Sessions in Edinburgh after the charity submitted its legal challenge on January 9.

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A spokesman said: “We have not taken this decision lightly, but having given serious consideration to these decisions to grant consent, we have decided to take legal action.

“RSPB Scotland has a proven track record of taking a stand for nature, on behalf of our members and the general public, to ensure that wildlife and the natural environment is properly safeguarded for the future.

“If these decisions are allowed to stand, they could have serious implications for how birds and important wildlife sites are protected across Scotland and beyond.

“The vast majority of renewable energy developments pose no significant threat to birds or other wildlife.

“RSPB Scotland continues to support the development of carefully sited and designed renewables, including offshore wind. However, individual developments must be sited to avoid significant harm.”

Lindsay Leask, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said the challenge by RSPB Scotland was “really disappointing news”.

She said: “Every one of these projects has been through an incredibly rigorous, detailed and independent assessment lasting anywhere between one and two years, and it now looks like there will be another lengthy examination of that process in court before they can go ahead.

“This action is now holding up two-thirds of the schemes in development around our coastline. This new delay will make it even harder for Scotland to catch up with the rest of UK and Northern Europe, which already have a sizeable offshore wind industry and supply chain supporting thousands of jobs.

She added: “The irony here is that climate change is reckoned to be one of the biggest threats to Scotland’s protected habitats and species. Offshore wind is a key part of the mix required for us to meet our targets for the growth of renewables and the reduction of carbon emissions.”

The Neart na Gaoith wind farm east of the Fife Ness coastline would include up to 75 turbines, generating 450MW of power.

The Alpha and Bravo Seagreen developments combined would consist of up to 150 turbines, around 16-23 miles (27-38km), off the Angus coastline, and could generate 1,050MW.

And the Inch Cape development, also off the Angus coastline, would total no more than 110 turbines, generating 784MW.

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