LUC supported RES with the proposed re-design of Cairn Duhie Wind Farm in the Highlands, Scotland.

The wind farm consists of 16 turbines with tip heights of 149.9m and associated infrastructure. It is located near the village of Ferness in Nairnshire, approximately 15km southeast of Nairn and 13.5km northwest of Grantown-on-Spey.

LUC provided specialist services in relation to EIA co-ordination, layout design, public exhibition materials, and landscape and visual (and cumulative) assessment. We conducted an aviation lighting assessment, assessment of effects on the Cairngorms National Park, and produced a residential visual amenity study.

This followed LUC’s involvement in the successful appeal for Cairn Duhie Wind Farm. LUC’s Expert Witness Sam Oxley gave landscape and visual evidence at the Public Local Inquiry held in Grantown-on-Spey in March 2016.

The proposed re-design will ensure that Cairn Duhie operates as efficiently as possible and reaches its maximum energy output. This will help towards the Scottish Government’s target of generating 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. The revised application was submitted in February 2021.

LUC has supported over 3GW of operational and consented onshore wind energy development in the UK. We have provided trusted advice on the design and impact of renewables projects for 20 years, including associated grid connections and electrical infrastructure.

We maintain an in-house wind farm database to ensure efficient data supply for our clients, and our in-depth understanding of the planning systems in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland helps our clients through every stage of the planning process.