Ministers have refused to give consent to two proposed wind farms in the Highlands as they would have a “significant and unacceptable” impact on landscape.
Energy minister Fergus Ewing said the Scottish Government had turned down a bid for a 22-turbine wind farm at the Sallachy and Duchally estate in Sutherland, along with a 23-turbine development at Glencassley estate, by Lairg, also in Sutherland.
Both developments would have an impact on an area of wild land while the Sallachy wind farm would also affect the landscape of the Assynt-Coigach national scenic area.
Mr Ewing said: “The Scottish Government’s policy on wind farms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our most scenic landscape and wild land area.
“We have been clear that wind farms can only be built in the right places and Scottish planning policy sets out rigorous steps to ensure wind farms are sited appropriately and sensitively.
“I have considered these applications fully and recognise the efforts made by the applicants to mitigate the potential impacts of the developments.
“However, I have refused permission as the proposals would still have significant and unacceptable landscape and visual impacts in the local areas, and these are not outweighed by any wider policy benefit.”
