Plans for a large wind farm on the hill at Skipness Point, which would significantly impact scenic views from Arran, have caused controversy.
Scottish Power Renewables is seeking permission for 13 turbines, standing up to 180 metres (590ft) tall, on land near ancient oak woods between Tarbert and Skipness.
Earraghail wind farm has attracted objections from two public bodies and two community councils. The development, on ground owned by Forestry and Land Scotland, would have a rated output of 78MW and includes a battery energy storage system with a capacity of around 25MW.
It has been referred to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Enviornmental Appeals Division.
Argyll and Bute Council, NatureScot, Tarbert and Skipness, East Kintyre, West Kintyre and Arran Community Councils are all against it.
The Woodland Trust and the Kintyre Way have also objected. A public inquiry is ongoing, with hearings taking place in Tarbert over several days this month.
Scottish Government Ministers will make the final decision on the application. Members of the local community had the chance to give their reasons for objecting at a session in the Templar Arts and Leisure Centre in Tarbert on Tuesday night.
Paul Crone, Tarbert and Skipness Community Council, said: “Lochranza and Skipness were twin castles, built to defend this area. This development will overshadow the setting of both Skipness and Lochranza, in our view.
“These 13 turbines will completely dominate the skyline and will impact on tourism.
“The residents of Skipness and Tarbert care deeply about the visual splendour of Kintyre. This development threatens or health and wellbeing and in some cases our incomes.
“Fewer walkers on the Kintyre Way means fewer tourists in Tarbert. We have serious concerns about the impact upon tourism. “This proposal is in our view unjust.”
He concluded: “In terms of democracy, four community councils, two charities and two statutory bodies are all in opposition to this development. Surely, they can’t all be wrong.”
Rupert James, a Skipness resident, spoke at length about the important habitats at the site.
He said: “Tarbert and Skipness coastal oak woods are incredibly important woodland. They are proposing to put skyscraper sized structures within a few hundred metres.”
He added that the development sits within important archaeological sites and near scheduled monuments.
Bob Chicken, a trustee of the Kintyre Way, said the development would ruin some of the best views on the route. He said that since it was re-established in 2017, the group which operates the Kintyre Way has never objected to a wind farm, until they saw this “seriously unreasonable” proposal.
Nine wind farms have already been built on the Kintyre peninsula over the years, consisting of about 150 turbines.
Tarbert and Skipness Community Council feel that this latest application is a step too far and in the wrong place.
Speaking about the inquiry, a spokeswoman for NatureScot told The Advertiser: “NatureScot advised Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit on the proposal for Earraghail Wind Farm.
"We objected on the basis it will have significant adverse day and night-time effects on the special landscape qualities of the North Arran National Scenic Area (NSA), undermining the objectives of the NSA designation - to identify our finest scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development - and the overall integrity of the area.
“NatureScot supports the government’s vision for an energy sector that delivers secure, affordable,
and clean energy for Scotland. Our advice reflects policy which intends ‘to protect, restore and enhance natural assets making best use of nature-based solutions’.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “The hearing and inquiry sessions are ongoing and are expected to conclude on March 21.
“Following the conclusion of the inquiry the reporters will assess all the information received, both orally and in writing, before preparing a report and recommendation for Scottish Ministers.
“The reporters anticipate, at this stage, submitting their report to Ministers in Autumn 2024. Ministers will then need to assess the report and they will make the final decision as to whether or not permission should be granted for this proposal.”
Arran Community Council has submitted a written objection.
Planning representative Steve Garraway wrote: “It could be argued that the north of the island will get a much larger, detrimental visual impact, both in day and night time, than the areas in Kintyre where the wind turbines will be located.
“Part of the attraction of Arran’s very well known tourism trade is the unspoilt and wild views that the island has to offer and this development wild detract from that, especially considering light pollution from the red flashing aviation warning lights, necessary for 180 metre-plus wind turbines.
“We realise that low carbon renewables are very necessary and may well be the best to go forward but at the moment it seems that Arran’s views are being spoiled without the island getting the benefit of the cheap power provided.”
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