CAMPAIGNERS in Sutherland have won a legal battle after a court ruled against the Government’s approval for a wind farm.
Scotland’s highest civil court ruled that ministers had not given adequate reasons for the approval of the Strath Oykel wind farm near Rosehall.
Residents say they could be surrounded by 171 turbines from multiple applications, in what has been dubbed a “ring of steel”. German developer Energiekontor had lodged the application for 11 of these turbines in 2022.
The turbines were expected to remain in place for 35 years within the Strath Oykel Forest.
One campaigner from the No Ring of Steel (NOROS) group, Tisi Dutton, told STV News that ministers must now “reconsider the application”.
She said: “I believe the legal process is being followed as it should be. It’s now up to ministers to reconsider the application.
“The encirclement of the strath is at the forefront of NOROS’ thinking. We will request that ministers follow the refusal, as has been recommended by the two reporters.
“We’re not against windfarms per se, but you’ve got to have the right development in the right place.”
The development proposal had faced more than 150 objections, was unanimously rejected by Highland Council, and a public inquiry took place in October 2024, in which councillors did not waver after they were asked to reconsider by the Government.
Reporters working on behalf of the Government also recommended that the plans be refused.
However, the Government green-lit the project, with Highland Council responding with a legal challenge.
Judges have now ruled that ministers failed to provide adequate reasons, with ministers arguing the development will “provide a contribution to renewable energy targets and carbon savings” and “will provide economic benefits which also weigh in its favour.”
With Strath Oykel known for its wildlife and fisheries, Dutton said: “It’s endangerment of the significant area of conservation which is the River Oykel, and it’s there to protect critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels and endangered Atlantic salmon.
“Freshwater pearl mussels are very susceptible to any pollution, and any kind of mitigation has been found to be usually and most likely to be unsatisfactory in protecting these creatures.
She added: “We’re, in a way, guardians of this strath – of its biodiversity – but also of its community, because if you destroy the river you destroy employment.
“If you destroy the beauty of the place you destroy tourism, and the river and tourism are two key areas of employment here.
“It’s heartbreaking and it’s constant, but Noros will keep going within the planning framework. It’s immensely important that we keep fighting against the developments that threaten this strath.”
Scottish Government ministers now have four options under consideration: they may invite further public comment on the planning application; issue a revised approval; uphold the recommended refusal put forward by two independent public inquiry reporters; or initiate a new public inquiry under the oversight of a different reporter.
The Scottish Government can now:
- Invite further public comment
- Revise the approval
- Uphold the refusal
- Begin a new public inquiry with a different reporter overseeing
