A wild land conservation group claims that the Scottish Government’s approval for the largest windfarm in the Highlands is a serious threat to conservation.
The government granted permission to the Stronelairg windfarm last week.
SSE Renewables will build 67 turbines on the Garrogie Estate in the hills above Loch Ness.
The development, near Fort Augustus, had gathered significant opposition, including from the John Muir Trust and Mountaineering Council of Scotland. Both groups said they were disappointed in the decision.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) also objected.
Now the Save the Monadhliath Mountains Campaign group has added their voice to criticism.
Spokesman Chris Townsend said that the devices would be in the “one of the most beautiful areas” of Scotland, and a core wild land area proposed by SNH.
He added that Save the Monadhliath Mountains campaign is gravely concerned that this development will have major individual and cumulative, visual and environmental, impacts on this sensitive landscape.
Townsend, a former President of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, has warned of a dangerous precedent being set by this decision.
“This approval poses a serious threat not only to the area in which this wind farm is to be constructed but, given that this plan has succeeded in the face of overwhelmingly strong counterargument and political opposition, we are in real danger of also losing many more wildlife habitats and areas of outstanding natural beauty,” he said.
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