The fate of a windfarm which could have a devastating impact on one of the most important golden eagle territories in Scotland now lies in the hands of ministers.

RSPB Scotland put in written objections and supported Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in giving evidence to a public local inquiry which finished this week, opposing what could be enormously harmful impacts of the proposed 14 turbine windfarm at Stacain, near Dalmally, in Argyll. RSPB Scotland believes the area is entirely inappropriate for a wind farm, and ministers should reject the application.

The importance of the area for golden eagles, which are synonymous with Scotland's wild beauty, is such that it is almost certain to soon be proposed for designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA). If this goes ahead it will then be strictly protected under Scots and European law.

Golden eagles are characteristic of the Scottish hills but can easily be displaced from their territories or put at risk of collision with badly sited windfarms and wind turbines. Despite the increasing number of wind farm developments in Scotland in recent years, the latest SNH-commissioned report on the issue found that only four per cent of golden eagle territories coincided with wind farm proposals. This illustrates that golden eagle habitats need not be a significant constraint to wind farm applications, and most developers have avoided pushing for developments in areas where golden eagles might be harmed.

Aedán Smith, head of planning and development at RSPB Scotland, said: "Carefully sited wind farms pose little threat to Scotland's birds. However, this proposal has not been carefully sited. It would seriously affect the viability of one of the most important golden eagle territories in a wider locality that is hugely valuable for golden eagles. What's more, this area is so important that it is soon likely to become legally protected. We hope that Scottish ministers will take the sensible decision and refuse this wholly inappropriate and potentially damaging proposal."

Notes
The SNH report referred to: Whitfield, D P, Fielding, A H, McLeod, D R A and Haworth, P F (2008). A conservation framework for golden eagles: implications for their conservation and management in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.193