Campaigners welcome decision to reject turbine plan

Campaigners have praised the Scottish Government for rejecting plans to erect 25 new wind turbines in Highland Perthshire.

Ministers said the Crossburns windfarm plan would have had too significant an impact on the landscape.

Highland councillor Xander McDade was among those who attended the public exhibitions three years ago.

He said local people were hugely relieved to see the plan knocked back.

“I went to the very first meeting in Aberfeldy. It was very clear from the outset that there was significant local opposition to West Coast Energy’s plan,” he said.

“With other development already in the area, such as Calliacher, the overall impact upon the environment would have been very significant.

“Local people are very relieved by the Scottish Government’s decision. They have had a long, hard fight.”

The John Muir Trust was one of the key objectors. Policy officer John Low said rejection was “the right decision”.

He said: “Highland Perthshire is the scenic heart of Scotland and already makes a major contribution to renewable energy targets, through its windfarms and hydro schemes.

“Local communities across the region were rightly concerned this windfarm could have inflicted serious damage not just to the ecology and landscape of the area, but also to businesses that rely on yearround tourism.

“Hopefully this decision will convince energy companies to seek more suitable locations in the future before they submit speculative applications.”