Special Area of Conservation Status Conferred on Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands

Scottish Natural Heritage have recently announced a change in status of sites previously proposed to the European Commission as candidates for Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna, commonly referred to as the Habitats Directive. The Commission has recently approved the list of sites submitted by the UK following an assessment to ensure that the Directive has been applied consistently across the European Union.

It has confirmed that Scottish Ministers have decided to formally designate Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands as a Special Area of Conservation with effect from 17 March 2005.

THE Wilderness Foundation Calls For Rethink On Windfarm Policy

The Wildernes Foundation website http://wildernessfoundationuk.blogspot.com/2008/02/save-our-scenic-morray.html has posted an important message from SOS Moray which highlights the concerns of those who fear the development of a number of windfarm sites across North East Scotland . They believe that not only will windfarms be detrimental to wildlife and landscape, but also prove to be inefficient in generating renewable energy. The website lists the many windfarms already operational in Moray, as well as those in development and urges concerned individuals and communities to action, registering their objections with the relevant authorities in a bid to protect this beautiful and wildlife rich area. Landscape endorses and supports SOS Moray and would add too that the importance of protecting the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands - which extends North of Moray, remains for us a top priority.

We are delighted that the Wilderness Foundation UK while strongly supporting the drive towards stabilization and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with Kyoto and other accords, also recognises that an overview is urgently required of wind farm location policy and energy strategy in general.

Six Policy Pointers of the Wilderness Foundation UK

• Onshore wind farms should be permitted only in landscapes already incorporating a significant level of built development and/or otherwise lacking aesthetic value. Greater emphasis should be directed towards micro-technology installations rather than giant turbine farms.
• The Foundation opposes the location of wind farms in areas where landscape is currently of wild, open, attractive or otherwise unspoilt aspect.
• Much greater emphasis should be applied to offshore locations, providing these do not despoil wild coastlines or marine environments – and where no significant concerns arise based on experience of similar locations already established.
• Planning permission for any wind farm should be preceded by a full Environmental Impact Assessment providing assurance on bird mortality, human health, landscape intrusiveness, and, where relevant, marine environment and coastal geomorphology. The long-term impact on local livelihoods and property values must also be taken into account.
• The underlying economics of the situation should be carefully reviewed. How much saving in greenhouse gas emission can be gained for a given level of investment in wind power as against other approaches? What are the relative cost-benefits of wind farms?
• There is a need to develop a coherent measure of the value of wildlands and landscape. Using maps of existing and prospective wildland, it should be feasible to devise an alternative location strategy that can be effectively represented on commercial as well as more traditional grounds.

Landscape (Sutherland Campaign to Protect our Environment)

Landscape is a community based organisation made up of local residents and those who live further afield , who care about protecting the unique environmental qualities of Sutherland and its exceptional, exquisite beauty.

Landscape is committed to:

• Supporting those agencies concerned with the protection of our landscape from falling prey to unnecessary destruction
• The promotion of all forms of renewable energy on an appropriate and economic scale that takes account of landscape considerations
• Contributing in whatever way we can to a realistic planning strategy for Sutherland
• The protection of Sutherland & Caithness Peatlands , natural habitats, wild flora and fauna
• Supporting other local groups with the same regional concerns as our own

GORDONBUSH

A wind factory totalling 37 turbines has been proposed for one of the world's most sensitive peatland sites.

Gordonbush, an area of exceptional beauty will fall victim to these monstrosities. Before installation each tower is longer than the length of a football pitch, requires the equivalent of an Olympic sized swimming pool of cement to secure its base, and the blades can easily accommodate an Airbus A380 across their diameter.

Updated: 7th April 2008