Wind turbine operations suspended at 16 schools over safety fears

School turbines: Concerns over safety prompts temporary shutdown.© STV

Wind turbine operations have been suspended at 16 schools across the Highlands after parents raised concerns over safety.

Highland Council says the turbines have been stopped as a "precautionary measure" while a review is carried out.

The local authority commissioned an evaluation of wind turbine installation at their schools, after concerns were raised by some parents and councillors.

Following the initial report from the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the decision was made to temporarily suspend operations at all 16 schools.

The turbines are located at three secondary schools and 13 primary schools across the Highland region.

Steven Barron, housing and property director, said: "There has been a great deal of interest and some concern about the planning and installation of wind turbines on school sites.

"Following representations from elected members and the public, the council commenced a review of the risk assessment process and the installations of wind turbines at council schools.

"Based on initial feedback from BRE and taking account of the council’s own enhanced risk assessment tool, the decision has been taken to suspend operation of the turbines which are sited in or adjacent to school sites.

"This is a precautionary measure which will allow time for proper consideration of the findings of the BRE reports when we receive them over the next few weeks.

"The council takes the issue of safety within schools very seriously and where additional measures are deemed necessary these will be planned and undertaken in consultation with head teachers and the council’s health and safety team."

Affected secondary schools are Culloden Academy, Dornoch Academy and Gairloch Academy.

Primary schools affected: Bower Primary; Crossroads Primary; Castletown Primary; Pultneytown Primary at Wick; North Primary at Wick; South Primary at Wick; Scoraig Primary at Wester Ross; Inver Primary at Tain; Rosehall Primary in Sutherland; Stoer Primary in Sutherland; Acharacle Primary in Lochaber; Holm Primary in Inverness and Eigg Primary on the Small Isles.

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