The John Muir Trust has welcomed the Highland Council's objection on plans to build a new wind farm in north west Sutherland.

The application for Caplich Wind Farm involves erecting 20 turbines up to 132 metres high.

In addition, it would require an extensive network of access roads to be developed.

However, after consulting with local councillors, the council decided to reject the application on 08 February.

The application is now in the hands of the Scottish Government, who rejected two similar proposals in the same Wild Land Area at Glencassley and Sallachy last year.

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John Low, Policy Officer with the John Muir Trust, said: "In 2015 the Trust launched a campaign to protect Wild Land Area 34 from the threat posed by three wind farm proposals – Glencassley, Sallachy and Caplich.

"In November we were heartened by the Scottish Government decision to refuse consent for Glencassley and Sallachy. This latest decision by the council means we are another step closer to ensuring that wild land is protected for future generations.

"Highland councillors and planners are to be congratulated for making the correct call by objecting to Caplich. The decision is in line with the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework 3, which states: 'We also want to continue our strong protection for our wildest landscapes – wild land is a nationally important asset.'

"The objection is in line with a string of decisions last year to refuse applications for large-scale wind farms at Limekilns, Allt Duine, Carn Gorm, Glencassley and Sallachy."

(LM/MH)