Proposed wind farm at Kintradwell

 

The planning application has been lodged with the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit and our communities are invited to comment on the Kintradwell scheme which includes 15 turbines of 149.5m to tip and an installed capacity of 63MW. It will be 1.7km south east of the Gordonbush wind farm but at a much higher elevation.

 

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. The boundary of our SLA is shown on the below map where you will see that the proposed wind farm is in its heart. 

 

Our community has fought hard since the mid 90’s to preserve the SLA and our coastal hills from intrusive development.  To date we have succeeded, and the pattern of development has been to preserve the coastal ridgelines.  The existing wind farms at Gordonbush and Kilbraur are behind the ridge, more discreetly sited to preserve views from our coastal communities, the A9 and points across the Firth, and are outside the SLA.

 

This application is different, with larger turbines at much higher altitudes on the top of the ridgeline, they will overlook Brora from the north west and will also be clearly visible from the A9 and from Embo, Dornoch, Portmahomack, the hills of Rogart, Kinbrace and points even further afield.  This development will have a wide visual impact on the coastal scenery of this part of East Sutherland. The turbines would be located on Col Bheinn (as would the borrow pit), between Meallan Laith Mòr and Càrn Garbh and on Meall à Phiobaire.

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See the 'Map and Images' page for the proposed placement of the turbines and monochrome viewpoint images.

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Within Brora itself wherever there are views of the hills, turbines will be seen partially or totally.  The areas which will be particularly affected and will have clear views will be Victoria Road, Lower Brora, The Doll, Dalchalm, Ladiesloch, Clynelish, Brora Golf Course and our glorious beach.  New substantial uphill tracks totalling 13.5km will be required to service the development which will also be partially visible, scarring the current uniform moorland cover.  A large new access is also proposed from the A9 between Kintradwell Lodge and the farm steading on a rising section of the A9 where the sight lines are poor.