WPR Wind Ltd, (the JV between Wind Prospect Development Ltd and Wind Ridge Ltd) proposes to erect 14 wind turbines and ancilliary structures on land to the northwest of Lochan Shira reservoir and some 5.5km south of Dalmally

Developer Bagmoor Wind’s proposal would have been located within the Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Special Protection Area (SPA) for golden eagles and, if approved, it was claimed it would have been a significant threat to the birds, due to habitat loss and turbine collision risks.

"Scottish Ministers’ decision [was] the right one for wildlife and renewable energy. This proposal would have caused serious harm to golden eagles and to the reputation of wind farms, making it more difficult to deliver the renewable energy we need to tackle climate change."

RSPB Scotland has now had to issue another statement condemning a decision by the developers to appeal the second ministerial ruling refusing consent for a wind farm as "wholly irresponsible, and damaging to the industry’s green credentials. It is also a huge waste of money and a drain on precious public resources that are already under pressure."

The statement goes on: ‘The proposal for a 14 turbine wind farm development at Stacain near Inveraray in Argyll was refused for a second time in July following a 6 year planning process that involved two public local inquiries, costing a great amount of time and money from the public purse.
Now Bagmoor wind intend to appeal the decision again, requiring further public funds and investment of time to consider an application that is clearly unsuitable.

Aedán Smith, Head of Planning & Development at RSPB Scotland said: “The developer’s continued insistence on this wholly inappropriate wind farm is damaging the reputation of the industry.  

"This latest appeal smacks of desperation and shows developers have little regard for wildlife. This project has twice been refused by Scottish Ministers because of its damaging impact on golden eagles, and yet the developers persist in appealing to the courts.

"Bagmoor Wind are also inflicting unnecessary expense on the public purse, as Scottish Ministers will again need to defend this action. The developer should stop flogging this dead horse, accept that it is a damaging development that is neither needed or wanted and concentrate on developing in more appropriate locations.”