Highland planners were warned yesterday that they risked flooding communities and landing taxpayers with huge fines if they approved a raft of windfarm applications in a wildlife haven on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Scottish Tory MEP Struan Stevenson told local objectors to five schemes planned for the pristine Dava Moor near Grantown that he had submitted their complaints to EC Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. He hoped the commissioner's legal officers would visit to verify that, cumulatively, the projects would breach bird, peat bog and habitat legislation.

Highland planners were warned yesterday that they risked flooding communities and landing taxpayers with huge fines if they approved a raft of windfarm applications in a wildlife haven on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.

Scottish Tory MEP Struan Stevenson told local objectors to five schemes planned for the pristine Dava Moor near Grantown that he had submitted their complaints to EC Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

He hoped the commissioner's legal officers would visit to verify that, cumulatively, the projects would breach bird, peat bog and habitat legislation.

The proposed developments - at Berryburn, Cairn Duhie, Dunearn, Tom nan Clach and Glenkirk - would comprise 130 turbines, averaging 425ft in height in an area popular with walkers and other tourists.

The central point of Lochindorb, between the Spey and Findhorn rivers, is famed for endangered species including golden eagles, capercaillies and larks.

Mr Stevenson told an audience of 60 people at a Grantown hotel:... [continue via Web link]

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