Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) had raised concerns about the scheme, which was planned for an area not currently subject to wind farm development. SNH was concerned that the turbines would compromise the integrity of a large area of wild land comprising vast exposed open spaces.
Ministers refuted the appellant’s claim that the most important area of wild land would not be affected and found that the scheme’s impacts could not be mitigated. While recognising the scheme’s benefits in addressing climate change, producing secure electricity supplies and generating significant local revenue, they concluded that the adverse impact on wild land outweighed these considerations.
Scottish Government; Written representations