Black Craig wind farm appeal dismissed; Plan for 16 turbines is turned down

Scottish ministers have rejected an appeal for planning permission for a 16-turbine wind farm on a hill directly opposite Rothesay Bay.

Over five months after the end of a public inquiry - which took place in April at Colintraive Hall - ministers agreed with the findings of reporter Karen Heywood that the project would have a "significant detrimental landscape and visual impact" on the area.

"In this case, I consider that the landscape and visual impacts of the proposed wind farm would be significantly detrimental that they would not be outweighed by the benefit resulting from the provision of renewable energy," Ms Heywood stated in her report.

The appellant Argyll Windfarms - who had just recently had a meeting with Bute's Community Council members regarding a potential yearly payout of £64,000 to the council if the project got the green light - were reluctant to provide The Buteman with a full comment until their legal team went over the report.

"At the moment we are just reviewing their decision," said Argyll Windfarms' director Mungo Tulloch told The Buteman. "We are very disappointed with the news."

One of the major talking points at the inquiry was the impact the 32 megawatt wind farm might have on tourism, which the council argued would have a negative effect on the industry on Bute and the surrounding area.

"Although I reach no definitive conclusion that the wind farm would have a detrimental impact on tourism in the local area and in Bute in particular," Ms Heywood wrote. "I do have reservations about the potential impact of approval of a wind farm.

"Especially given my conclusion that the wind farm would be likely to be a focal point in the views from Port Bannatyne and Rothesay."

News of the project's refusal was greeted with delight by its detractors, who once again have seen Scottish ministers side with the local communities after they dismissed the Corlarach Hill wind farm project in the Cowal peninsula last May.

"It's good news for common sense," said Tony Harrison, owner of Balmory Hall and a key witness for Argyll and Bute Council. "A view which has been very much part of Rothesay's landscape for over one hundred years will remain unspoilt.

"It's not a decision about being for or against wind farms, it's a decision about where they are sited. There are plenty of places where they can be efficiently sited without destroying the landscape.

"After the decision at Corlarach Hill, it would have been incongrous for them to accept it."

In her conclusion, Ms Heywood pointed out the importance of considering each project as a separate entity without relying on current government policy.

"National policy encourages the generation of electricity from renewable sources," she wrote, "although small in relation to renewables targets, the contribution of 32 MW of installed capacity is a significant benefit of the proposed wind farm.

"However, despite Government support for renewable energy generally, this does not mean that support is unqualified and that every potential scheme must be approved regardless of its impacts."