A north anti-windfarm campaigner fears plans to build two farms just miles apart in Caithness will be extended into one large project in the future.
Edinburgh-based company Eurowind UK previously announced it hoped to erect 13 turbines on land at Earl’s Cairn at Barrock near Castletown.
But at a public meeting last week a representative from the company announced the plans were being put on hold and they were now looking at another site at Lyth – just six miles away.
The new proposals would include 12, 410ft high turbines.
Stuart Young, chairman of the Caithness Windfarm Information Forum, said he feared if planning permission was granted for both projects, the company would then apply to extend them.
He said: “These two windfarms will be in close range to each other.
“Virtually every windfarm in the land which gets planning permission applies to extend it in the future.
“The Forss windfarm started off with two turbines, then it was extended to four and now they are applying for another five turbines.”
Ian Lindsay, director of Eurowind UK Ltd, said: “All planning applications for windfarms are considered separately and on their own merits and although another site has been under consideration, Lyth Wind Farm is the only application that Eurowind is working on in Caithness and we hope it can be submitted later in 2012.
“In the meantime we will be widening out the discussion with residents and look forward to their feedback on the detail of this proposal and how it can benefit the local area.”
A public consultation for the Lyth proposal is due to begin next month and will involve public exhibitions, surveys, meetings with community councils and a dedicated website.