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Ramblers Association Objection
Revised Proposal for a Wind Turbine Development at Lochluichart, Ross-shire
The Ramblers' Association Scotland maintains our objection for the revised proposal for the wind turbine development at Lochluichart. Our original objection of 25th January 2006 was based on the visual intrusion of very tall wind turbines in an area which contains the qualities of wildness for which Scotland is widely famed.
The reduction of the number of turbines does very little to address our main concern, which is:
"The proposal will intrude upon three nearby proposed Areas of Great Landscape Value; Ben Wyvis and Little Wyvis, The Fannichs and Beinn Dearg, and Strathconon and Monar. With important landscape designations adjacent to the proposed site, the impact of turbines 125m to the vertical blade tip is a major factor. Structures this high are difficult to accommodate within the landscape without being visually very intrusive. They will be visible from large areas of open hill lying to the west, much of which is of wild land quality, and as such is a scarce and easily diminished resource."
Upland habitats are sensitive to change and slow to recover, and can display a lasting legacy of visual scars. Landscape is an essential consideration when striking a balance between conserving the natural and cultural heritage, and using it as an economic resource. Damaging upland landscapes with heavy engineering projects like wind turbines must surely be seen as inappropriate, and such proposals are more suited to landscapes which have already been modified by commercial development.
30th November 2006
