After several delays the Beinn Mhor Wind Farm application will be considered by The Highland Council’s South Planning Committee on Tuesday February 24th following a ‘site’ visit by Planning Committee members scheduled for Monday February 23rd.

Two extensions were granted by Highland Council to the developer (wpd) to allow them time to address questions from Highland Council and issues raised by GAFSN related to the construction access route.  There was then a further delay when the Planning Committee’s ‘site’ visit had to be postponed due to the adverse weather.  We have put ‘site’ in inverted commas because we understand that the Committee’s route will go through Tomich but will not include the proposed construction site.

The Highland Council’s Planning Group has recommended approval of the project, albeit with twenty seven conditions attached.  The Planning Group’s seventy-seven page report is available on Highland Council’s e-planning website for any of you who may wish to read it.

Our Steering Group view is that it appears to be a sterling example of public sector box-ticking and backside covering.

There have been a number of recent examples where the Planning Committee has ruled on an application contrary to the recommendation of the Planning Group and we remain optimistic that common-sense and public pressure will prevail to secure the right result in this case.

As a group we feel that we have done everything possible to try to secure the outcome that you all want and thanks go to each and every one of you for your help in trying to kill this outrageous proposal.