A CONTROVERSIAL wind farm planning application has been approved for construction in Sutherland.
The proposal aims to build wind turbines in the Strath Oykel Forest, located near Doune and Rosehall in the region.
The project is supported by Scottish ministers and is being developed by the UK arm of German developer Energic Kontor.
The plan involves the construction of 11 turbines, which will have a generation capacity of 73 MW.
These turbines are expected to remain in place for 35 years within the Strath Oykel Forest.
The planning application was first submitted in 2021 and has faced strong opposition from local campaigners and Highland councillors.
According to the Press and Journal, in 2022, 138 letters were submitted by members of the public, urging the rejection of the project.
Concerns have been raised about the potential visual and environmental impacts of the scheme.
Applicant Calum Morris told the Press and Journal that Scottish ministers "issued their consent" for the project to proceed.
The planning application was initially rejected by Highland councillors in 2021, but a year later, Scottish ministers asked the council’s North Planning Committee to reconsider their decision.
This decision sparked anger within the Council, which accused the Government of disregarding their decision.
