A north campaigner has called on the Scottish Government to support Highland Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a windfarm near Inverness.
West Coast Energy applied to the local authority to build 13 turbines on hills above the village of Daviot.
As part of its proposal the company had offered to give the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) £4,000 per MW – an offer branded “a bribe” by objectors.
It has now been revealed that the application was delegated to planning officials who have rejected it, claiming it is contrary to the authority’s planning policy and would have a detrimental impact on communities.
Officers are able to determine applications under delegated powers without going to a committee if ward members agree.
Tony Kell, an anti-windfarm campaigner who helped launch a petition to stop the proposal, said he was “pleased” with the council’s decision.
He added that a petition showed 80% of householders living within two-and-a-half miles of the proposed development were against it, and said he hoped the Scottish Government would support the ruling if the company decided to appeal.
Last night Steve Salt, planning and development director of West Coast Energy, said he was disappointed with the outcome and would study the reasons for refusal before deciding whether or not to appeal.