Inquiry into wind farm plans starts on Monday

A public inquiry into the controversial Allt Duine wind farm proposal will get underway this Monday in Aviemore.

Objectors to the plans for the 31 turbine development in the Monadhliath Mountains include the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Highland Council, John Muir Trust, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society.

A spokesman for the Save the Monadhliath campaign group commented: “The site lies just 400 metres from the Cairngorms National Park boundary, with the permanent access and cabling route beginning within the national park itself.

"The site reception and temporary construction compound will also lie within the boundary of the national park.

“The construction of approximately 16 kilometres of access roads within the park will have a significant effect on the landscape fabric.

"These tracks will be 15 metres wide, with greater width at the turns as they switchback their way up the steep slopes inside the national park.”

He added: “Following the construction of this wind farm, it is estimated that the equivalent of just six full-time jobs will be created.

"As it stands, the majority of the area’s workforce operates within the tourism sector, with tourism-related businesses accounting for about a third of the local economy.

“Once this development is complete, however, far more than six jobs will be lost for those working in this industry, due to detrimental effects the 125 metre high turbines will have on the Cairngorms National Park’s visual amenity.

"It is the natural beauty of this landscape that brings tourists (including high net worth) individuals to the Highlands and keeps the area’s economy afloat.”

The public inquiry to be held in the Peregrine Suite at the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort.

Amongst those giving evidence will be a representative of Kincraig Community Council, which has pledged its support for the Allt Duine wind farm development.

See today's Strathy for ‘Laird defends £140M Allt Duine wind farm plans