RSPB Scotland has launched an appeal against the reinstating of consent for a 2.1GW quartet of offshore wind farms in the Firths of Forth and Tay off Scotland.
An Edinburgh court last month reinstated the planning approvals for the projects on appeal after the bird conservation group had earlier won a case to overturn consents.
However, RSPB Scotland today said that “despite our efforts to help minimise the risks” the projects are “still predicted to have the potential” to kill tens of thousands of seabirds.
“We have a number of serious concerns with the Inner House’s judgment, and following careful consideration, RSPB Scotland has decided to start the appeal process by applying to the Inner House for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court,” it said.
The four projects are Mainstream’s 450MW Neart na Gaoithe, Red Rock’s 600MW Inch Cape and SSE/Fluor’s 1050MW Sea Alpha and Bravo.
RSPB Scotland director Anne McCall said the charity continues to support renewables.
“However, we are concerned that this judgment could set worrying precedents for the protection of wildlife across Scotland and the UK,” she said.
“In light of our concerns we have decided to start the appeal process by applying to the Inner House for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.”
Mainstream said it “notes” the RSPB decision to launch the appeal and added it is “committed” to working with the Neart na Gaoithe partners and the charity to deliver the wind farm.
The developers of Seagreen expressed disappointment that RSPB have taken the decision to try and appeal the case to the UK Supreme Court.
“The project partners, who remain fully committed to the diligent development and delivery of the projects, will consider their next steps in response to the outcome of this legal process,” they said.
Image: reNEWS
