Strath Oykel: Judges quash green light for Sutherland 'ring of steel' wind farm after villagers' campaign

Campaigners fighting plans for a wind farm in Sutherland have won a legal victory after Scotland’s highest civil court quashed government approval for the project.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that ministers had failed to give adequate reasons for approving the Strath Oykel wind farm near Rosehall.

If built, the 220m turbines would contribute to what opponents describe as a “ring of steel” around the village, potentially leaving residents surrounded by as many as 171 turbines.

Tisi Dutton, campaigner from No Ring of Steel (NOROS) said locals were “encouraged” by the news.

Locals have protested the wind farm plan which would see village 'encircled by turbines' — Locals have protested the wind farm plan which would see village ‘encircled by turbines’ STV News

She told STV News: “I believe the legal process is being followed as it should be. It’s now up to ministers to reconsider the application.

“The encirclement of the strath is at the forefront of NOROS’ thinking. We will request that ministers follow the refusal, as has been recommended by the two reporters.

“We’re not against windfarms per se, but you’ve got to have the right development in the right place.”

The proposal, submitted by German developer Energiekontor in 2022, faced more than 150 objections and was unanimously rejected by Highland Council.

After the Scottish Government asked the local authority to reconsider, councillors stood by their decision. A public inquiry then took place in October 2024.

Reporters working on behalf of the government recommended that the plans be refused.

But the government gave the development the green light, prompting Highland Council to launch a legal challenge.

Judges have now ruled that ministers failed to provide adequate reasons for overturning the inquiry’s recommendation.

Ministers had argued the development will “provide a contribution to renewable energy targets and carbon savings” and “will provide economic benefits which also weigh in its favour.”

But campaigners say the environmental cost to Strath Oykel and its endangered wildlife was too high.

‘We’re the guardians of this strath’

No Ring Of Steel campaigner Tisi Dutton STV News

Strath Oykel is popular for its green landscapes, varied wildlife and busy salmon fisheries.

Turbines are already prominent in the skyline at Rosehall, which campaigners say is putting local wildlife at risk such as bats, water voles and protected bird species, such as white-tailed eagles.

The original inquiry examined concerns about the cumulative impact of the towers and fears about potential pollution of pristine waters inhabited by critically endangered pearl mussels.

Tisi said: “It’s endangerment of the significant area of conservation which is the River Oykel and it’s there to protect critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels and endangered Atlantic salmon.

“Freshwater pearl mussels are very susceptible to any pollution and any kind of mitigation has been found to be usually and most likely to be unsatisfactory in protecting these creatures.”

She added: “We’re, in a way, guardians of this strath – of its biodiversity – but also of its community because if you destroy the river you destroy employment.

“If you destroy the beauty of the place you destroy tourism, and the river and tourism are two key areas of employment here.

“It’s heartbreaking and it’s constant, but Noros wil keep going within the planning framework. It’s immensely important that we keep fighting against the developments that threaten this strath.”

Scottish Government ministers now have four options under consideration: they may invite further public comment on the planning application; issue a revised approval; uphold the recommended refusal put forward by two independent public inquiry reporters; or initiate a new public inquiry under the oversight of a different reporter.

German wind farm developer Energiekontor declined to comment.