The John Muir Trust (JMT) has welcomed a decision by Scottish ministers to halt proposals for a wind farm near Cairngorms National Park.

The plan involved developing the 31-turbine Allt Duine Wind Farm on the western edge of the park.

However, ministers refused planning consent as it would result in 'significant and unacceptable' landscape and visual impacts on the region.

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Other organisations and authorities opposed to the development included the Highland Council, Save Monadhliath Mountains, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Local people also expressed their opposition to the development in a ballot organised by the Kincraig and Vicinity Community Council.

Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive of the JMT, said: "The battle to save this precious area of wild land has been long and hard.

"We are delighted that the Deputy First Minister John Swinney has come down on the side of the people and the landscape against the energy giant RWE."

(LM)