A proposal for a wind farm at Lochluichart in Wester Ross has been submitted to the Scottish Executive for planning permission. It consists of 43 x 125m high turbines and will stretch from the A832 at Lochluichart in the south to Loch Glascarnoch on the A835 trunk road in the north. The applicant is LZN Limited, a joint venture involving Koop Duurzame Energie, a Dutch wind farm developer, the estate and Savills.

There are also plans for a further 15 turbines in the area from a separate development, Corriemoillie Wind Farm, due to be submitted to Highland Regional Council in April 2006. The company undertaking this is E.ON UK Renewables, formerly Powergen. The turbines will be 2-3MW each and will be 120m high.

The Lochluichart development will be visible from the Fannichs, Ben Wyvis, Beinn Dearg, Cona Mheall, Torridon and Strathfarrar, plus a couple of Corbetts. For precise location see OS Sheet 20 ref NH32576788, which is the centre of the proposed windfarm

The local community is small and widespread and they do not have the manpower or resources to create effective opposition. Should these developments go ahead they will have a huge impact on the cultural, landscape, tourist and recreational assets and interests of this area.

The original date for making representations on this proposed development was 5th January 2006, to which Beryl Leatherland made a brief but strong response on behalf of the MCofS [despite being away on holiday until 3rd January!]. This reinforces a point we have made on previous occasions: a brief letter counts as an objection [provided it includes accurate details of the development and uses the word objection/object] just as much as a carefully considered structured response. Given enough time, the MCofS would always do the latter. In this case, The John Muir Trust submitted a full and detailed response:
The John Muir Trust response

While the MCofS supports a variety of renewable energy strategies we are concerned about the impact on our wild land and special habitats and will object to any proposed developments that we feel put these in jeopardy.

A further, revised application has been made for this scheme. The MCofS response can be found here.