Highland Council’s North Planning Applications Committee has raised no objection to SSE’s 70MW Achany extension wind farm in the Scottish Highlands, which the developer has hailed a key step in the permitting process.
The council committee supported the recommendation of the local authority’s planners to raise no objection to the development, subject to the removal of two turbines, said the company.
Achany extension, proposed beside the operational 38MW project near Lairg (pictured), will now proceed to Scottish Government Ministers who will make the final consent determination on the application.
SSE said the council decision marks “a positive step forward in the project’s development”.
“The extension development, if consented, would be expected to generate more than 70MW of renewable electricity. This means the volume of renewable energy that would be generated by both the existing Achany site and the proposed extension development would be in excess of 108MW,” said SSE.
Senior project manager Gillian Wilson added: “We are pleased with the Highland Council’s decision today. This is a positive decision and we believe it recognises our commitment and track record at SSE Renewables to always develop onshore wind energy projects in a responsible way.
“Achany Extension has been designed sensitively and will maximise the use of existing infrastructure at our operational Achany Wind Farm. We have listened carefully to people’s views to ensure that we are considering local needs and priorities wherever possible.”