SSEN plans for Caithness wind farm grid connection could face no objection from Highland Council

No objection has been recommended for almost 10km of overhead line near Gills.

Highland Council’s north planning committee has been recommended by officers to raise no objection to plans for a wind farm connection south of Mey.

A decision by the committee will be made at the meeting on Wednesday, June 10.

SSEN has lodged plans for 8.6km of overhead line (OHL) supported by up to 112 wooden poles measuring up to 16m high as part of the Slickly wind farm connection.

The wind farm was granted planning permission in 2022 by the Scottish Government and will consist of 11 turbines with a blade-tip height of between 135m and 200m.

Both Slickly wind farm and the connection have been granted a 30-year lifespan and will be decommissioned after that time.

The proposed OHL will run from the wind farm’s substation, crossing the C1037 Slickly road running north alongside the minor road through woodland then head towards the Hill of Rigifa before connecting to the Gills Bay switching station.

A permanent access track stretching 3km and 7m wide has also been put forward as part of the development.

Both of the affected community councils did not respond to the consultations undertaken by the council, according to the report.