AN ALTERNATIVE route to the proposed windfarm at Gordonbush in Sutherland has now been proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
A planning application was submitted to Highland Council for an alternative access route via Kilbraur windfarm after pressure from local people.
A new bridge over the River Brora is included in response to concerns raised by residents of Golspie and Brora about construction traffic passing through their towns.
SSE’s project manager Chris Marden said: “We recognise that the Kilbraur route is the access route favoured by the local communities and, over the past year we have carried out extensive assessments to establish the feasibility of this route and to develop a suitable design for the bridge.
“We’re hopeful that this application will be a major step forwards in the delivery of this alternative access route.”
The Gordonbush, a 70MW windfarm with 35 turbines, was approved by the Scottish Government in April last year.
A spokeswoman for SSE said: “The route would be used by all construction and heavy vehicles and not just those carrying the turbines and propeller blades.
“Traffic coming from the north would use the route on the original consent past the old Clyne School.”
East Sutherland councillor Ian Ross said he was pleased the application for a route through the Kilbraur site was being actively considered.