A contentious proposal for a significant wind energy development overlooking the picturesque Loch Earn is poised to advance to a full public inquiry, following a decisive objection from Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee. The plans, put forward by SSE Renewables for a site known as Glentarken, have ignited considerable debate across the Perthshire community due to the sheer scale of the proposed structures and their potential impact on the cherished local landscape.
Councillors convened to assess the Glentarken project, which envisions the erection of a dozen wind turbines, each reaching an astonishing height of 180 metres. To put this into perspective, these colossal turbines would stand as tall as some of London’s most iconic skyscrapers, such as the famous Gherkin building, dramatically altering the skyline above the tranquil St Fillans area. The planning committee echoed the concerns of their own expert planners, concluding that the development would inflict a “significant detrimental impact” on the natural beauty and character of the region, particularly within the vicinity of the nationally important Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area.
This council decision comes in the wake of escalating local resistance. Just prior to the committee meeting, over 150 local residents, landowners, and environmental advocates gathered in Comrie, a nearby village renowned for its scenic surroundings, to voice their mounting disapproval. The public meeting highlighted widespread apprehension not only regarding the Glentarken proposal but also a separate, neighbouring wind farm project planned for Glen Lednock. The collective sentiment underscored a deep-seated worry among those who live and work in the area about the industrialisation of their beloved glens and hills.
The Glentarken scheme is earmarked for land within the historic Drummond Estate, approximately three kilometres east of Lochearnhead, a gateway to some of Perthshire’s most spectacular scenery. Beyond the 12 monumental turbines, the development also includes provisions for battery storage systems, further increasing the industrial footprint on this pristine environment. Council officials stressed that the visual intrusion of such massive structures would be unavoidable, forever altering views from popular walking routes, fishing spots, and local settlements that rely on the area’s natural allure for tourism and residential amenity.
Adding to the complexity is the adjacent Glen Lednock proposal, which, if approved, could introduce up to 19 additional wind turbines, with some reaching an even greater height of 200 metres. This project, spearheaded by Oxygen Conservation, is framed as part of broader “rewilding” initiatives on the Invergeldie estate. While seemingly disparate, the combined visual and environmental effects of both projects, should they proceed, raise serious questions about cumulative impact on the delicate ecological balance and tranquil vistas of the region. The Path to a Public Inquiry
Given the magnitude of the Glentarken development, the final decision rests not with the local authority but with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit. Following Perth and Kinross Council’s formal objection, SSE Renewables will now be afforded an opportunity to revise their plans, aiming to mitigate the substantial concerns raised by the council and the local community. However, if these amendments fail to bridge the divide, a full public inquiry will become inevitable. Such inquiries are often lengthy and costly, providing a platform for all stakeholders to present their arguments in detail before an independent reporter, who then makes a recommendation to Scottish ministers.
The increasing number of large-scale renewable energy projects across Perthshire, including other proposals such as those at Fowlis Wester (Meallbrodden) and Logiealmond, indicates a growing trend of energy development in areas celebrated for their natural beauty. Each of these proposals has encountered significant local opposition, reflecting a broader public desire to safeguard the unique environmental and cultural heritage of the area. The outcome of the Glentarken inquiry will undoubtedly set a precedent for future renewable energy developments in Scotland, particularly in regions where the imperative for green energy clashes with the equally vital need for landscape protection.
Councillors convened to assess the Glentarken project, which envisions the erection of a dozen wind turbines, each reaching an astonishing height of 180 metres. To put this into perspective, these colossal turbines would stand as tall as some of London’s most iconic skyscrapers, such as the famous Gherkin building, dramatically altering the skyline above the tranquil St Fillans area. The planning committee echoed the concerns of their own expert planners, concluding that the development would inflict a “significant detrimental impact” on the natural beauty and character of the region, particularly within the vicinity of the nationally important Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area.
This council decision comes in the wake of escalating local resistance. Just prior to the committee meeting, over 150 local residents, landowners, and environmental advocates gathered in Comrie, a nearby village renowned for its scenic surroundings, to voice their mounting disapproval. The public meeting highlighted widespread apprehension not only regarding the Glentarken proposal but also a separate, neighbouring wind farm project planned for Glen Lednock. The collective sentiment underscored a deep-seated worry among those who live and work in the area about the industrialisation of their beloved glens and hills.
The Glentarken scheme is earmarked for land within the historic Drummond Estate, approximately three kilometres east of Lochearnhead, a gateway to some of Perthshire’s most spectacular scenery. Beyond the 12 monumental turbines, the development also includes provisions for battery storage systems, further increasing the industrial footprint on this pristine environment. Council officials stressed that the visual intrusion of such massive structures would be unavoidable, forever altering views from popular walking routes, fishing spots, and local settlements that rely on the area’s natural allure for tourism and residential amenity.
Adding to the complexity is the adjacent Glen Lednock proposal, which, if approved, could introduce up to 19 additional wind turbines, with some reaching an even greater height of 200 metres. This project, spearheaded by Oxygen Conservation, is framed as part of broader “rewilding” initiatives on the Invergeldie estate. While seemingly disparate, the combined visual and environmental effects of both projects, should they proceed, raise serious questions about cumulative impact on the delicate ecological balance and tranquil vistas of the region. The Path to a Public Inquiry
Given the magnitude of the Glentarken development, the final decision rests not with the local authority but with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit. Following Perth and Kinross Council’s formal objection, SSE Renewables will now be afforded an opportunity to revise their plans, aiming to mitigate the substantial concerns raised by the council and the local community. However, if these amendments fail to bridge the divide, a full public inquiry will become inevitable. Such inquiries are often lengthy and costly, providing a platform for all stakeholders to present their arguments in detail before an independent reporter, who then makes a recommendation to Scottish ministers.
The increasing number of large-scale renewable energy projects across Perthshire, including other proposals such as those at Fowlis Wester (Meallbrodden) and Logiealmond, indicates a growing trend of energy development in areas celebrated for their natural beauty. Each of these proposals has encountered significant local opposition, reflecting a broader public desire to safeguard the unique environmental and cultural heritage of the area. The outcome of the Glentarken inquiry will undoubtedly set a precedent for future renewable energy developments in Scotland, particularly in regions where the imperative for green energy clashes with the equally vital need for landscape protection.