Windfarm schemes are a threat to Perthshire mountain landscape say outdoors group
Two controversial Perthshire windfarm schemes would intrude into the heartland of the Southern Highlands spoiling views for miles around according to Scotland's national mountaineering body.
Perth-based Mountaineering Scotland is objecting to the proposed Glen Lednock and Glentarken windfarms on uplands around 600m high between Loch Tay and Loch Earn on the border of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Combined they comprise 31 turbines with some as high as 200m – or three times the height of Stirling's Wallace Monument.
The national body representing hillwalkers and climbers believes the neighbouring windfarms are a significant encroachment from the edges of the mountains into their interior.
The windfarms would impact views from Munros (hills above 3000ft) and other popular hills from 25km or 15.5 miles away.
In a recent objection to the Glen Lednock Windfarm Mountaineering Scotland chief executive Stuart Younie said: 'It would have a significantly adverse impact upon the visual amenity and overall experience of those visiting the many Munros, Corbetts (hills between 2500ft and 3000ft) and other notable hills that ring the proposed high-altitude site in this popular area and that of the climbers who visit the crags and boulders in Glen Lednock itself.'
A decision to enable 'such visually intrusive development to enter the interior of the Southern Highlands should not be made lightly,' he added.
The Glen Lednock scheme, Mountaineering Scotland said, should be considered alongside the adjacent plan submitted by energy giant SSE above Glentarken – comprising 12 turbines. Mr Younie said a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) ignores their cumulative impact.
The visual impact from the Ben Lawers range to the north of the windfarms is described as 'substantial and not limited to the summits.'
Other windfarms are seen towards the edge of the Southern Highlands, but the Glen Lednock Windfarm 'would appear unequivocally as being intrusively within the Southern Highlands.'
It would be 'a major incursion' from the Munro Ben More and 'intrude directly and distractingly' in views from Munro Ben Vorlich across to Munro Ben Chonzie.
A Low Carbon spokesperson said: 'Glen Lednock's submission has been written in accordance with Scottish Government guidance, including the agreement with relevant statutory consultees on a list of other developments for cumulative assessment.
'As standard practice the landscape and visual impacts will be assessed by relevant consultees both on a standalone and cumulative basis.'
The PA contacted Perth-headquartered SSE for comment.
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