Council could object to plan to build almost 50 energy towers near village

A plan by energy giant SSEN to build 46 steel towers close to a Sutherland village could be objected to by Highland Council over environmental concerns.

The company submitted plans to the local authority for a replacement grid connection in Strathy to accommodate the approved – but not yet built – Strathy South wind farm as part of the existing Connagill cluster grid connection.

But the council’s planning team has recommended the application be refused as SSEN failed to “reasonably mitigate” the environmental impacts of the proposed project, according to a report.

A decision on the proposals will be made by councillors at the north planning meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, June 10.

SSEN’s application would see 10.5km of overhead line (OHL) and 46 steel towers measuring 28 metres to 59 metres high built to replace the current Strathy North grid connection and allow it to accommodate the newly approved Strathy South wind farm.

The OHL and towers would run northwards from Strathy North’s substation at Dallangwell, east of the River Strathy and “loosely” follow the current grid connection to Strathy North, the report says.

Then it would go north of Cnoc Feàrna, cross the Halladale River and the A897 west of the existing Connagill Substation.

A larger alternative option had also been offered by SSEN, for “future proofing” the project that would see 13.5km of OHL supported by 58 steel towers – but the company is only proposing the former at the meeting.