Shetland Islands Council has granted planning permission for a new carpark at the Viking Wind Farm site, set to significantly improve access to miles of local scenic trails for both residents and visitors.

The North carpark project, proposed by SSE Renewables, received formal approval from the council's Planning Committee on Wednesday. The development will also facilitate SSE Renewables' partnership with disability charity Ability Shetland by providing a new secure container for storing specialist equipment. This includes an all-terrain wheelchair funded by SSE Renewables and Ability Shetland's adapted e-bikes, making them more readily available for those with mobility challenges.

Stephanie Bain of Ability Shetland welcomed the decision: "Enjoying the great outdoors is one of the most popular activities in Shetland, whether you're visiting or are resident here. By having a dedicated parking area and storage space, it will allow people to access equipment such as the all-terrain wheelchairs, which hopefully removes any barriers from them being able to explore the outdoors."

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The completed development will feature a carpark and a picnic area, offering enhanced access for the local community and tourists wishing to explore the surrounding trails. The carpark will be designed with sufficient space to accommodate horse boxes, as well as providing parking for walkers and cyclists.

Work on the carpark is scheduled to commence following the completion of pre-construction activities. In the interim, public access restrictions will remain in place around the final construction areas of the wind farm to ensure the safety of both the public and site staff. These restrictions are expected to be lifted once the construction work is finalised.

Mark MacDonald, Head of Asset Operations Onshore Wind, Solar, Battery (GB & Ireland) at SSE Renewables, commented: "We are pleased the new carpark has been approved by Shetland Islands Council. The proposals were drawn up following extensive engagement with the local community, Shetland Islands Council Outdoor Access Forum and various groups such as cyclists and equestrians. Once delivered, the carpark will offer free safe parking, away from the A970, opening-up local trails suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding."

SSE Renewables, a leading developer and operator of renewable energy generation and part of SSE plc, is currently undertaking a significant clean energy plan, aiming to increase its operational renewable generation capacity to up to 9GW by 2027. This includes the delivery of the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm, currently the world's largest offshore wind farm under construction. The company has a substantial team of renewable energy professionals focused on delivering clean energy projects across the UK, Ireland, Continental Europe, and Japan.