Stand up to insensitive Sutherland wind farm

Sir – I read with interest your front page story in last week’s NT for a wind turbine in Bonar Bridge and the justifiable opposition to that proposal. It’s ironic then that I learned of a new wind farm proposal from a Danish company at Balnacoil on a recent visit back to Loch Brora – and the fact that very few people seem to be aware that it’s being considered*.

The visualisation I have obtained shows what this would look like – a sea of turbines obliterating what was once a spectacular view.

How can anyone destroy such beautiful and valuable countryside? The site attracts tourists and locals in great numbers – something the local authority recognised as it created a scenic walk along the River Brora to the loch.

This would be the third wind farm in this area but this particular site is a Special Landscape Area which means that Highland Council must take account of its natural beauty and as a wildlife habitat. This does not prevent companies from making an application but it does, in this case, go completely against the council’s own guidance for wind farms of this size.

It is therefore vital that all those who prefer to safeguard the natural environment write to Highland Council to raise their objections.

It’s time to take a stand against those who want to destroy Sutherland’s local heritage.

Peter Faassen de Heer

Edinburgh & Brora.

* The NT has run several articles about the proposed development.