Click HERE to Complete and
Send an Online Objection
Click HERE to Download a Printable Objection Form to Complete & Post


UPDATE

The application for the windfarm was submitted to the Scottish Government in April last year and is presently with Highland Council for consideration. It is expected that Highland Council (a statutory consultee of the Government) will reach their conclusions on the application within the next few months. If Highland Council object to the proposal a public local inquiry may be held.

Objections to the application were submitted to the Government by the Association of Community Councils and by Halkirk, Watten, Castletown and West Caithness Community Councils. Watten Community Council objected as a result of a postal ballot. Bower Community Council has also made a representation to Highland Council.

To date the Government has received 838 representations from individuals in support of Spittal windfarm and 977 representations from individuals objecting to it.

The vast majority of letters in support were in petition format and were gathered by representatives of the developers at stalls in the town centres of Inverness, Wick and Thurso. Of the 838 supporting representations, only around 260 came from Caithness, of which 219 came from the towns of Wick and Thurso, leaving only 42 supporters of the scheme in rural Caithness.

By contrast, 862 of the 977 objections to the scheme came from Caithness and North Sutherland, with the majority of those from close neighbours of the proposed site. It is our hope that both Highland Council and the Government will give due weight to local opinion.

We still need your support. Please, if you have not
already done so, take a few minutes right now to
send in your objection.


Once again, our most sincere thanks to all of you who have supported us since SWOG began in 2004.


View of Spittal Hill Windfarm from picnic area at east end of Loch Watten

Spittal Windfarm Opposition Group (SWOG) was formed in August 2004 by residents living around Spittal Hill in Central Caithness when we first saw the developers' scoping plans for a major windfarm on Spittal Hill.

The current plan is for 30 turbines 110 metres high, covering an area of about 3.43 square kilometres or 847 acres which, because of its size, will be submitted to the Scottish Government rather than to Highland Council.

What's so special about Spittal Hill? Why isn't it a good place for a major windfarm? First and foremost, the hill is a central, prominent landmark between Wick and Thurso with an elevation of 176 metres. The turbines closest to the highest point will be 74 metres higher than the hill.

They will be visible from many locations near and far - for example, from all major tourist routes into the county, including rail, cruise ship and ferry, from Kirkwall in Orkney, and from Strathy Point, Dunnet Head, East Mey, Warth Hill just to the south of John O'Groats, and Sinclair Bay. They will be seen by tourists climbing on the Scarabens and Caithnessians going about their daily business or just sitting at home.


© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100047147

Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZVT) from Environmental Statement.

Yellow areas denote areas where there is visibility of 26 to 30 turbines, Orange is 20 - 25 turbines, Green shows 14 - 19 turbines, Light Blue denotes 8 - 13 turbines and Dark Blue is 1 - 7 turbines. (Click for closeup view)


Spittal windfarm viewed from Dunnet (distance to nearest turbine 15 km). Photomontage by Stuart Young Visualisations
The cumulative and sequential impact when viewed together with the operational windfarms at Buolfruich and Causewaymire will give an impression of turbines along the length of the main A9 tourist route into Caithness. In addition to windfarms already approved at Forss, Flex Hill and Achairn, there are windfarm schemes proposed for Baillie, Dunbeath, Burn of Whilk, Lieurary, Strathy, Scoolary, Durran/Tister, Bower Quarry, Camster and Stroupster, and possibly Toftingall - all will add to the impact of the Spittal Hill scheme.


© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100047147

Site Map showing Turbine Layout
(Click for closeup view)


Montage comparing the Test & Trials Facility at Janetstown (27m high), Dunnet Church (12m high), a proposed Spittal Hill turbine (110m high), and an existing Forss turbine (78m high). Photomontage by
Stuart Young Visualisations

The windfarm site is situated too close to residential property. The closest turbine to a residence (where the owners have no financial interest in the windfarm) will be approximately 864 metres away. The closest turbine to houses at Spittal village will be approximately 1200 metres away. The consequent loss of amenity, and problems with noise, strobing and shadow flicker are well documented. Safety will also be compromised because at least one turbine will be located less than 70 metres from a road and the diameter of the turbine blades is 80 metres. Accidents at windfarm sites such as blade detachment, fire and ice throw, are also well documented.


Turbines viewed from the A9 at Spittal.
Photomontage by Stuart Young Visualisations

The windfarm site is within 2.5 km of Loch Scarmclate and 2.0 km of Loch Watten, both of which are component parts of the Caithness Lochs Special Protection Area and Ramsar site. Watercourses from the site run down to Lochs Scarmclate, Watten and Toftingall. The site contains within its boundaries Spittal and Banniskirk quarries, both designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest for their fossil fish. There are also existing historic landscape features to be taken into account. The history of Spittal village can be traced back to the Iron Age and there are many Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings situated within 10 km of the site.
"Our landscape of mountain, moor, loch and glen is famous throughout the world. It makes no sense to develop irresponsibly and thereby threaten the basis of our tourist industry. SNH must work with others to achieve carefully thought out policies." Quote from Scottish Natural Heritage on its North Highland webpage.

We are not alone in our concerns. Highland Council has already stated that Spittal Hill is not a suitable place for a major windfarm in their 2006 Renewable Energy Strategy. Prior to production of this Strategy, Spittal Hill was always designated as an area presumed against development by the Caithness Local Plan (PP3). Scottish Natural Heritage and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have serious concerns about the proposal, and our MP and local councillors have publicly stated their concerns.

Additionally, Caithness' electricity needs have already been met by renewable energy. Npower claims its Causewaymire windfarm supplies sufficient electricity for 28,500 households. The Spittal Hill developers claim their windfarm would supply 46,000 households. According to Npower, the 2001 census showed Caithness as having 10,870 households. Even allowing for growth, and assuming these claims are valid, these two windfarms alone would supply over 60,000 more homes than exist in Caithness. The surplus will of course have to be exported many miles to consumers to the south.

Best viewed at 800 x 600 or Higher

Website Design by ROM-ART Computer Services