RSPB Scotland has said a proposed wind farm planned for north east Sunderland is "one of the most worrying it has ever seen".

The 47-turbine development is proposed for SSE's Strathy South scheme in the Flow County.

In 2011, the firm was granted permission for 33 turbines at the site.

However, the charity has said the new site, which is a non-native conifer tree plantation, should be restored to peat bog. It is understood the site is home to a number of rare birds including the golden eagle, hen harrier, merlin, black-throated diver, red-throated diver, greenshank and golden plover, and RSPB Scotland is worried a wind farm would pose a serious threat to the vulnerable bird populations.

There are also worries that the development would undermine the proposed vision to restore large areas of blanket bog within the Flow Country, which would help improve the peatland habitat for rare plants, birds and animals. In September, the Scottish Government revealed £15m of new funding to support the restoration of the country's peatlands.

-- Advertisement --

Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: "This is, without doubt, one of the most worrying wind farm applications we have seen in Scotland.

"Not only does it risk harming some of the UK's rarest species, it would make restoration of this core part of the globally important Flow Country much more difficult.

"The blanket bog and peatland habitat of the Flows is so special and rare that it is protected by law and is currently the subject of a multi-million pound funding bid by the Peatlands Partnership for ambitious restoration and public engagement work."

Mr Housden continued: "Wind farms play a vital part in tackling climate change but damage to our most important places for wildlife must be minimised. Over the last few years, SSE have shown that they can be a responsible developer, abandoning or amending some proposals elsewhere in Scotland that would have harmed wildlife – but this proposal sticks out like a sore thumb in their current portfolio.

"That they would consider something like this, in such a vital home for nature is very disappointing. It cannot be allowed to proceed. We hope SSE reconsiders its plans or that Scottish Ministers quickly reject this application."

The Peatlands Partnership comprises RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland, Highland Council, Plantlife, the University of the Highlands and Islands, as well as key stakeholders and individuals from the local community.

(JP/IT)