Woman pleads with neighbours to reject proposed wind farm

A Sutherland resident is urging neighbours to object to the proposed nine-turbine windfarm on Loch Shin.

Chahna Sudevan lives in Overscaig and will see the Sallachy windfarm from her house.

She alleges there was a lack of consultation on the proposal under coronavirus restrictions, and also voiced concerns about the visual impact on the area having a detrimental effect on tourism and on the peatland on which it will be constructed.

Ms Sudevan is urging fellow residents to raise their objections with Highland Council before the cut-off point of Sunday May 23.

German developer WKN has modified its long-standing proposals for the windfarm on the Sallachy Estate from 22 to nine turbines, with an output of just under 50Mw, and it’s this proposal which is out for consultation.

Scottish ministers previously rejected the 22-turbine proposal as having an unacceptable impact on the ReayCassley designated wild land area.

But Mrs Sudevan fears the smaller development, which can be decided by Highland Council without recourse to Scottish ministers, could set a precedent for many more small-scale wind farms along Loch Shin.

She said: “Loch Shin is the longest loch in Scotland at 17 miles. Plenty mileage for more and more wind turbines to flank its shores for wind farm corporates.”

A spokeswoman for WKN said Sallachy Estate, which owns the lochside, has no such intentions. She also disputed claims of lack of consultation over the project, saying there had been teleconferences and door to door leafleting with a “massive response” and largely positive feedback.

WKN says it is developing a design which minimises the impact of the proposed development on sensitive environment and species.