Planning policy is too ‘simplistic’

SIR, – I appreciate the comments by Councillor Sinclair (P&J, August 20) regarding the new supplementary guidance on onshore windfarm development. It seems that the Highland Council has little leeway but to adopt national diktats and to classify swathes of the scenic highlands as “suitable for windfarm development”.

On the positive side, the supplementary guidance states that in many of the areas around Loch Ness there is now limited capacity for more medium or large wind turbines. This is hardly surprising as this strategic visitor destination has over 500 wind turbines in the planning process for these sensitive areas.

It would have been appropriate to place a moratorium on current wind turbine applications and any future expansion or development, and this should have included small and micro turbines. The guidance gives an excellent review of the landscape qualities and descriptions of views from key sites.

However, views from all locations should have been considered as many visitors and locals are on bike or foot. A Highland landscape planning policy based primarily on views from major routes is simplistic.