Approval for the controversial Swarclett wind turbines would send out a message that “rural residents count for nothing”, a campaigner has warned.
Tony Shaw described the proposed development by Wind2, on land between Bowertower and Durran, as “outrageous and offensive” as 10 properties would be within 1500 metres of it and four would be only some 800m away.
He argued that consent for the scheme would signal “open season on what might happen to the rest of rural Caithness”.
Mr Shaw launched the Save Caithness campaign last summer to help communities fight large-scale energy developments in the county.
It grew from the sense of anger felt in many parts of Caithness about the extent of onshore wind farms as well as plans for huge pylons and substations.
Mr Shaw is among a group of residents in the Bowertower area opposing Swarclett Wind Farm. The planning application appeared on the Highland Council website this week, with public comments open until February 7.
Wind2 is seeking permission to build two turbines, each with a blade-tip height of up to 149.9m, along with a battery energy storage system, on agricultural land approximately one kilometre south-east of Mains of Durran.
The company claimed this week that the turbines will have “minimum impact” on the surrounding area and outlined a community benefit package that will include a scheme to help reduce residents’ electricity costs.
The Banniskirk Hub site boundary, marked in red, in documents submitted to Highland Council as part of the SSEN Transmission planning application.
Mr Shaw also highlighted his fears over the proposed Banniskirk Hub substation, occupying a site as big as Halkirk, predicting that if approved it will lead to “multiple new energy and infrastructure projects”.
SSEN Transmission submitted a planning application to Highland Council last month for a 400kV substation and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter station.
Banniskirk Hub will connect to the controversial proposed 400kV overhead line between Spittal and Beauly, and to the existing Spittal 275kV substation. It will include a new outdoor 400kV air insulated switchgear (AIS) substation and an HVDC converter station that will help transport offshore renewable energy to “demand centres” throughout the UK.
Mr Shaw said: “January 2025 sees two very significant planning applications available for public comment and objection – the massive Banniskirk substation and the much smaller two-turbine Swarclett Wind Farm. The ultimate decision on each is likely to shape the very future of Caithness.
“In the case of the Banniskirk substation, if approved, a gateway to multiple new energy and infrastructure projects would be established. It would be like printing a licence for new developments that aren’t even needed and certainly haven’t been approved.
“Of course, such developments are desired by those that stand to make money out of them and who care nothing for the effect on the county of Caithness. Why don’t they turn their attention to locations further south, closer to where the energy is required?
“The Swarclett Wind Farm proposal is of a much smaller scale but of considerable significance for two reasons.
“Firstly, it is perhaps the most outrageous and offensive proposal in terms of the likely effects on nearby rural residents that has ever been submitted. There are 10 properties within 1500m of giant 150m turbines and four of the properties are only 800m or so away.
“Secondly, if approved, it will then be open season on what might happen to the rest of rural Caithness. Landowners will take it as a sign that rural residents count for nothing and that getting their feet into the money trough that masquerades as legitimising net-zero development is easy.”
Mr Shaw said that groups including Save Caithness, Highland Renewables Database and No to Swarclett will be urging concerned members of the public to make their views known by submitting objections. He added: “We don’t want a future dictated to us by those that simply seek to profit.”
Mr Shaw is inviting those who share his concerns to sign up to a Save Caithness mailing list via the savecaithness.org website.
Wind2 says Swarclett will have the capacity to generate approximately 66,000 MWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the needs of around 17,000 homes, while offsetting some 6000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
The company says there will be a community benefit fund worth £48,000 a year.
At the end of last month the owners of a riding school close to the Banniskirk site warned of the “enormous” impact the substation will have if it goes ahead.
Alasdair and Marion Bain, of Achalone Activities, are worried about a potential flooding risk and devaluation of property, as well as the negative impact on their business during the construction phase and beyond.
Others who are against the development have claimed that it will bring “massive construction upheaval for decades” and “an unprecedented degree of industrialisation in the heart of Caithness”.
SSEN Transmission has described Banniskirk Hub as “a key component of our proposals for a new 400kV overhead line between Spittal and Beauly, supporting the delivery of high-voltage, clean renewable power and helping meet Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power ambitions”.
Senior development project manager Rebecca Gay said in December: “In developing our proposals, we have sought to achieve the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective while taking account of the views of the local community, with whom we have consulted throughout the development of the project proposal.”
For just £10 for the first year you can get unlimited access to the Groat online and on our app, including access to the e-editions of the John O’Groat Journal and Caithness Courier every week.
Your subscription also gives you unlimited access to all HNM titles, keeping up to date with everything in the Highlands as the news breaks.
Use the code ALANHENDRY on a digital annual subscription today to redeem this huge saving on your first year.