​Charity challenges government over turbine go ahead - and wins legal battle

The John Muir Trust (JMT) has said it is “delighted” after winning a crucial fight over a proposed windfarm development.

Scottish Government ministers had previously green-lighted a planned 67 turbine project the size of Inverness at Stronelairg in the Monadhliath mountains.

However, the JMT sought a judicial review against the plans, which were drawn up by Scottish and Southern Energy.

On Friday (4 December) it was announced that law lords have blocked the proposal.

Environmentalists say the scheme would have been hugely destructive as 70% of the Stronelairg site consists of wet peatland, which captures carbon slows climate change.

Lord Jones ruled that members of the public had been denied the opportunity to comment on a revised planning application for the proposed windarm, and that ninisters did not take into account Scottish Natural Heritage’s objection in principle to any wind farm development at Stronelairg.

Stuart Brooks, JMT chief executive, said: “This is great news for all those who love Scotland’s wild land and wish to see it protected. A financial appeal brought a tremendous level of support from over a thousand well-wishers, allowing the trust to proceed. Lord Jones has now decided the Trust’s court action was well-founded.

“This was the wrong development, of the wrong size and in the wrong place.”