In 2001, The Highland Council (THC) identified Loch Fleet, Loch Brora and Glen Loth as an Area of Great Landscape Value. In 2009 citations were drawn up in order to understand the special qualities of such areas, now known as Special Landscape Areas (SLAs), and the possible impact of future development. In 2010 the SLAs were confirmed and adopted into the Highland Wide Local Development Plan.
There is considerable planning history associated with developers attempting to construct large wind farms on the coastal ridge of hills of East Sutherland such that the SLA would be affected.
Kintradwell Wind Farm 2023 - refused due to significant adverse landscape and visual impact
On 03 November 2023 the Scottish Government refused the planning application for a wind farm at Kintradwell following a Public Local Inquiry in November 2022. The decision referenced: "the significant adverse landscape and visual effects on the character of landscapes including the Rounded Hills – Caithness & Sutherland Landscape Character Type and the distinctive character of the East Sutherland Coast and the Loch Fleet, Loch Brora and Glen Loth Special Landscape Area."
The application for a wind farm at Kintradwell was for 15 turbines of tip height to 149.9m. The turbines would have been located on the hills above Kintradwell on the coast of East Sutherland. The location of the turbines and associated battery storage facility would have been entirely within the Loch Fleet, Loch Brora and Glen Loth Special Landscape Area.
Navidale Wind Farm 2019 - refused due to wild land impact, peatland impact and deviating from the established pattern of development
On 23 October 2019 the Scottish Government refused the planning application for a wind farm at Navidale farm following an appeal against the Highland Council's refusal of planning.
The application for a wind farm at Navidale was for 5 turbines of tip height 125m. The turbines would have been located on the hills above Navidale, on the coast of East Sutherland.
West Garty Wind Farm 2017 - refused due to significant detrimental landscape and visual impact and deviating from the established pattern of development
On 19 October 2018 the Scottish Government refused the planning application for the West Garty wind farm following a Public Local Inquiry in April 2017.
The application for a wind farm at West Garty had been for 17 turbines, 13 of tip height 110m and 4 turbines of 100m tip height. The turbines would have been located on the hills above Loth, on the coast of East Sutherland.
West Garty, Craig Riasgain and Gartymore Wind Farms 1999 - refused due to landscape and visual impact
In 1999 the Scottish Government refused the planning application for a wind farm at West Garty following a Public Local Inquiry.
The 3 applications together had been for 38 turbines, 30 of tip height 68m and 8turbines of 62m tip height. The turbines were to have been located on the hills above Loth and Gartymore, on the coast of East Sutherland.