The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has welcomed the decision by Scottish Ministers to refuse the Allt Duine wind farm.

Ministers decided the development would have an unacceptable impact on the Cairngorms National Park and surrounding wild land.

The CNPA lodged its objection to the proposed wind farm near Kincraig in May 2011 in response to a Section 36 Scottish Government consultation on the proposal.

The 31 turbines would have been located just outside the Cairngorms National Park, with the closest structure being 900 metres from the edge of the Park.

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Tracks leading to the site also would have been built within the National Park boundary.

CNPA Board Convener, Duncan Bryden, said: "We are extremely pleased that our concerns about this particular windfarm on the very edge of the Cairngorms National Park have been listened to by Ministers. This would have been the closest windfarm to the Park and was a wholly unacceptable proposal.

"It would have transformed the Monadhliath skyline and contributed to the gradual encircling of the north-western boundary of the Park, with turbines visible from iconic high points like Ben Macdui, Cairn Gorm and Braeriach.

"Many visitors come to the Cairngorms National Park for its mountain landscapes, the long open horizons and to experience a sense of wildness and the CNPA believes it is wise to safeguard their enjoyment and that of future Park users."

(LM/MH)