Forestry and Lands Scotland challenged again over Inveroykel Wind Farm land option agreement

A Sutherland anti-wind farm campaigner is continuing to challenge Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) over its decision to grant a wind farm company development rights on public land without consulting the community.

FLS has signed an “option agreement” with German energy company RWE, which wants to build the 29-turbine Inveroykel Wind Farm on public land about 9km north-west of Ardgay and Bonar Bridge, close to Rosehall Wind Farm.

Andrew Graham-Stewart wrote to FLS chief executive Kevin Quinlan and rural affairs minister Mairi Gougeon in December, calling for the option agreement to be cancelled and for a community consultation exercise to take place.

He pointed out that FLS’s Community Strategy included a commitment to community engagement, including seeking input into the development of its land management plans.

However, FLS responded that public and community consultation will take place through the democratic planning process when the details of the Inveroykel proposal are fully known.

Mr Graham-Stewart has now written to Gavin Falconer, FLS’s head of estates and renewables, with copies to Ms Gougeon and acting net zero and energy minister Gillian Martin.

He writes that FLS’s contention that it is the developer’s responsibility to consult directly with the community as part of the democratic planning process is a “political and bureaucratic cop-out”.

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“The reality is that there is nothing democratic about the planning process when it comes to wind farm proposals,” his letter states.

“The Strath Oykel Wind Farm, which adjoins the site for the proposed Inveroykel Wind Farm, is a case in point. Two hundred and thirty-one public representations were made to the planning application, all of which were in opposition. Highland Council objected.

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“The reporters who conducted the subsequent comprehensive planning inquiry, comprising three days of hearings, recommended emphatically that the application be refused, but Scottish Ministers rode roughshod over all the opposition and granted approval.”

Mr Graham-Stewart continues: “RWE has already begun the so-called consultation process with the local community via two ‘public consultation events’ in November.

“These were no more than tick-box exercises, staffed by ill-informed and uninterested junior employees, who were unable to answer simple questions and who made it clear that they would rather be anywhere else.

“Those attending these events knew only too well, on the basis of past experience, that they would not make a jot of difference to RWE’s intentions or plans because in the final analysis the company can rely on their allies – Scottish Ministers.

“If FLS is genuinely committed to the concept of meaningful community consultation about the use of publicly owned land, then, mindful of the overwhelming opposition to any more wind turbines whatsoever in the Kyle of Sutherland it would have engaged with the local community before signing an option agreement with RWE.

“By granting the option agreement to RWE for FLS-managed land at Inveroykel, FLS is simply facilitating a charade in which the views of the local community are deemed irrelevant.”

An FLS spokesperson said: “As with all such developments, a planning application must include evidence of community consultation on the substance of the proposal. It is only possible to consult once there is relevant evidence and information and a tangible planning application drawn up.

“Responsibility for this, in line with the standard planning process, rests with the developer. The decision on consent rests with the planning authority.

“We strongly encourage communities to engage fully through the planning determination to ensure all views are considered.”

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