A conservation charity has launched a legal bid to block plans for a windfarm bigger than the Highland capital on land near Loch Ness.
The John Muir Trust lodged a petition in the Court of Session asking for a judicial review of the local authority’s decision not to object to the proposed 67-turbine scheme in the heart of the Monadhliath Mountains.
The move was welcomed last night by other windfarm protesters in the region.
The trust claims the council’s stance flies in the face of the national-interest objection tabled by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
The agency said the SSE development proposed for Stronelairg, east of Glendoe Dam, would destroy the character of one of the country’s key areas of wild land.
The John Muir Trust fears granting permission for the huge windfarm – which would cover an area one-and-a-half times the size of Inverness – could set a precedent for similar applications at other scenic sites in the north.
Trust chairman John Hutchison said last night that the legal action was not directed at councillors – who relied on expert advice from officials.
He said: “We believe the quality of the advice itself was flawed and fundamentally in conflict with the existing local and national planning policy, which states explicitly that authorities should safeguard the character of wild land areas.
“Since the decision was taken, the Scottish Government has confirmed the existing protection of wild land and proposed a further strengthening of wild-land protection.
“In the light of existing and emerging planning policy frameworks, the decision to not object to the Stronelairg application was, in our opinion, unreasonable and unlawful.”
Pat Wells, convener of Stop Highland Windfarms, said: “We were all horrified when councillors agreed to make no objection.
“Stronelairg is an important breeding ground for raptors and wading birds so we hope very much that the trust’s legal action is successful.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said it had instructed lawyers to defend its decision.
And an SSE spokesman said the company was disappointed by the John Muir Trust’s actions.
He added: “We believe Highland Council’s decision not to object was the right one and was reached through an entirely appropriate process.
“Stronelairg is a sensitively designed windfarm based around existing hydro infrastructure, which would bring economic benefits to the local economy should it receive consent.”
Highland Council said that ultimately it would be for Scottish ministers to decide on the application, because of its size.