Highland Council has refused permission for revised designs at Infinergy’s 39MW Tom nan Clach wind farm south of Inverness.
Members of the south planning applications committee voted unanimously against plans for 13 turbines of 125 metres.
Planners had recommended approval of the new layout, which was based on 3MW hardware.
Councillors expressed concerns about the visual impacts of a larger swept area and taller tips at the wind farm, despite the reduction in overall turbine numbers.
Infinergy holds a Contract for Difference at Tom nan Clach, which retains its original consent for 17 turbines of 2.3MW each.
Changes were designed to take advantage of evolution in “wind turbine technology and design principles” as well as “the time available between consent and connection to the grid” in 2018.
Infinergy has the option to appeal the decision to the Scottish government.
Image: Infinergy’s Castle Pill wind project in Steynton (Infinergy)
