ARGUMENTS for and against a giant 18-turbine wind farm near Portsonachan overlooking Loch Awe were aired at a public hearing and inquiry in Dalmally, writes Sandy Neil.
The Upper Sonachan Wind Park is so big the application must be determined by the Scottish Government rather than Argyll and Bute Council, under section 36 of the Electricity Act, and go before a public local inquiry. In 2015, Upper Sonachan Wind Park Limited applied to build the 136.5m turbines, with a total capacity up to 61.2MW, on commercial forestry 9.5km north of Inveraray, south of Loch Awe.
Argyll and Bute Council objected to the application on landscape grounds, joined by Scottish Natural Heritage and Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council.