Scottish ministers have rejected a pair of proposed wind farms totalling 144MW in the Highlands.
The 22-turbine Sallachy and 23-unit Glencassley were deemed to have unacceptable impacts on nearby wild land and scenic areas.
SSE was hoping to build up to 78MW at Glencassley while WKN was targetting a 66MW project. Both are near Lairg in Sutherland.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing (pictured) said: “The Scottish government’s policy on wind farms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our most scenic landscape and wild land area.”
He added: “I have considered these applications fully and recognise the efforts made by the applicants to mitigate the potential impacts.
“I have refused permission as the proposals would still have significant and unacceptable landscape and visual impacts in the local areas and these are not outweighed by any wider policy benefit.”
Highland Council had earlier offered no objection to either project.
Image: Scottish Government
Scotland rejects Highland wind pair
Wild land impacts 'unacceptable' from 66MW Sallachy, 78MW Glencassley
By EBS