A conservation charity has reiterated its opposition to a large windfarm planned for an internationally recognised habitat in the Highlands, despite reports that the scheme has been reduced.
The RSPB claims that SSE wants to cut eight turbines from its proposals at Strathy South scheme in the internationally important Flow Country in Sutherland.
A public local inquiry is to be held to examine the £200million plans, which attracted significant opposition from residents and conservationists.
However it has emerged that there has been a delay in the process because of SSE’s decision to reduce the number of turbines from 47 to 39.
This means that the energy giant must carry out a four week consultation on the new proposals. Only when this is finished, will dates be set for the inquiry.
Despite the reduction in the scheme, the RSPB has repeated its opposition.
The charity was among more than 200 objectors to the development – amid claims that the turbines, erected 443ft above the bog, could harm birds living there.
When Highland councillors met to discuss the application in June, more than 30 people staged a demonstration outside their headquarters.
Aedan Smith, RSPB Scotland’s head of planning and development, said: “A windfarm here would prevent this already damaged site from ever reaching its full potential for nature conservation.
“RSPB Scotland is particularly concerned about greenshank, hen harrier and red-throated diver – all of which are threatened by possible collisions with the planned turbines. Some of these birds could even end up abandoning the site entirely, because of the planned development.
“It is heartening that SSE do at least acknowledge that this site is important for wildlife, and the removal of these turbines will reduce the risk to birds to some extent. However, SSEs plans would still be for 39 turbines, forming a major commercial windfarm, right in the heart of one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe.
“We need windfarms to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions which are harming wildlife across the world but the vast majority do not pose so much threat to our most important wildlife sites.
“Of the hundreds of onshore windfarm proposals that RSPB Scotland have scrutinised, this is one of the most concerning we have seen in recent years and we urge SSE to abandon their plans for this sensitive site and instead focus their efforts on delivering the many sites in their portfolio that don’t pose such a threat to wildlife.”
An SSE spokeswoman said: “SSE’s proposed reduction in the number of turbines at Strathy South is a result of the ongoing process of consideration around this project as we move towards the public local inquiry. We will continue to work with the various stakeholders involved in a constructive manner.”