Susan Falconer, Chair of the Windfarm Sub-Group at Strathdearn Community Council, contacted our constituency MSP Fergus Ewing. She outlined community concern about the number of actual and proposed windfarms in our locality and our council’s campaign to make planning authorities aware of the cumulative effect of so much development.

Mr Ewing offered his support for the views of the community as expressed through the community council and he included a copy of the following letter which he has sent to Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy.

Dear Cabinet Secretary,

Re: Windfarm Applications in Strathdearn Area – Cumulative Impact and Local Opposition

I am writing in connection with the current windfarm proposals affecting the Strathdearn area in my constituency. I wish to draw your attention to the very strong level of opposition within the local community, particularly with regard to the cumulative impacts of multiple developments on the surrounding environment and community well-being.

I am copying this correspondence, along with the attached documents, from Susan Falconer,Secretary and Chair of the Windfarm Sub-Group at Strathdearn Community Council, who has articulated in detail the concerns of residents and the community council. These include environmental considerations, visual intrusion, and pressure on local infrastructure and landscape – all of which have been compounded by the sheer number and scale of proposed developments in the area.

Given these significant concerns, and in light of the strength of local feeling, I hope that you and your officials will reflect seriously on the representations made by Strathdearn Community Council. In particular, I urge you to consider the cumulative impacts of these developments and give due weight to the community’s voice when assessing current and future applications.

I would welcome any opportunity to discuss this further or to facilitate engagement between your department and the affected community.

Yours sincerely,

Fergus Ewing MSP
Independent Member of Scottish Parliament for Inverness and Nairn

Office of Fergus Ewing MSP, 112 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1EP
Telephone: 01463 713 004