Creag Riabhach Extension

Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Extension


Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Ltd. have now submitted an application for an extension to Creag Riabhach Wind Farm under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.


Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Limited

NOTICE OF DECISION THE ELECTRICITY ACT 1989

TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING (SCOTLAND) ACT 1997

THE ELECTRICITY WORKS (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) (SCOTLAND) REGULATIONS 2017

As directed by regulation 23(4) of the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) 2017, notice is hereby given that Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act with company number SC424471 and having its registered office at 2 Castle Terrace, 4th Floor, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 2EL has been granted consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 by the Scottish Ministers to construct and operate the Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Extension.

The Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Extension (two turbines with a blade tip height not exceeding 149.9 metres and Battery Energy Storage System) will be located 6.5 km south of the settlement of Altnaharra on the A836 and approximately 21.5 km north of the village of Lairg in central Sutherland within the planning authority area of The Highland Council.

The Scottish Ministers have also directed, under Section 57 (2) of the Town & Country Planning Act (Scotland) 1997, that planning permission is deemed to be granted.

Copies of the decision statement and related documentation can be obtained on the Energy Consents Unit website: www.energyconsents.scot

Copies of the decision statement and related documentation have been made available to The Highland Council to be made available for public inspection by being placed on their planning register.

Facts and Figures


  • 2 Additional Turbines
  • Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
  • Combined total installed capacity of 105MW
  • Up to a maximum of 149.9m ground to blade tip height
  • Potential to power an additional 10,225 homes annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 17,850 tonnes

Planning Application Documents


Volume 1 – Non Technical Summary_Part1

Volume 1 – Non Technical Summary_Part2

Volume 1 – Non Technical Summary_Part3


Volume 2 Cover Page, Contents and Glossary

Volume 2 – Chapter 1 – Introduction

Volume 2 – Chapter 02 – EIA Approach and Methodology

Volume 2 – Chapter 3 – Description of Development

Volume 2 – Chapter 04 – Statutory and Policy Framework

Volume 2 – Chapter 05 – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

Volume 2 – Chapter 06 – Terrestrial Ecology

Volume 2 – Chapter 07 – Freshwater Ecology

Volume 2 – Chapter 08 – Ornithology

Volume 2 – Chapter 9 – Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Soils

Volume 2 – Chapter 10 – Transport and Access

Volume 2 – Chapter 11 – Cultural Heritage

Volume 2 – Chapter 12 – Noise

Volume 2 – Chapter 13 – Socio-Economics, Recreation and Tourism

Volume 2 – Chapter 14 – Other Issues


Volume 3a Cover Page and Contents

Volume 3a – Chapter 1 – Figure 1.1 – Location Plan

Volume 3a – Chapter 1 – Figure 1.2 – Consented Development

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.1a – Site Layout

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.1b – Detailed Site Layout (Southern Extent)

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.1c – Detailed Site Layout (Northern Extent)

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.2a – Scoping Layout

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.2b – Track Layout Options

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.2c – Alternative Track Alignment 1

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.2d – Alternative Track Alignment 2

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.2e – Alternative Track Alignment

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.3 – Indicative Turbine Elevations

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.4 – Indicative Turbine Foundations

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.5 – Indicative Hardstanding Arrangement

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.6 – Indicative Access Tracks and Cable Runs

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.7 – Indicative Battery Storage Elevations

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.8 – Indicative Battery Storage Layout

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.9 – Drainage General Arrangement

Volume 3a – Chapter 3 – Figure 3.10 – Drainage Details

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.1 – Landscape and Visual Study Area

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.2 – Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) to Blade Tip with Viewpoint Locations

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.3 – Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) to Hub Height with Viewpoint Locations

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.4a – Comparative ZTV of Creag Riabhach and Creag Riabhach Wind Farm Extension to Blade Tip

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.4b – Comparative ZTV of Craeg Riabhach and Extension to Hub Height with Viewpoints

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.5a – Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) to Blade Tip with Viewpoint Locati

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.5b – Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) to Blade Tip with Viewpoint Locati

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.6 – Detailed Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) to Blade Tip (6km)

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.7 – Landscape Character

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.8 – Detailed Landscape Character to 6km

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.9 – Landscape Planning Designations

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.10 – Gardens and Designed Landscapes and National Recreational Routes

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.11 – Recreational Routes and Tourist Destinations within 6km

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.12 – Cumulative Wind Farms within 45km

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.13 – Cumulative ZTV 1 CRWF Ext, Existing and Consented between 10-35km

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.14 – Cumulative ZTV 2 CRWF Ext and Application wind farms between 10-35km

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.15 – Cumulative ZTV 3 CRWF Ext, CRWF, Sallachy and Strath Tirry

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.16a – Sequential Route Assessment – A836

Volume 3a – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.16b-f – Sequential Route Assessment – A836

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.01 – Development boundary, layout and survey area

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.02 – Internationally designated sites (SAC, RAMSAR)

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.03 – Nationally designated sites (SSSI)

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.04 – NVC communities

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.05 – Groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.06 – Otter survey

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.07 – Water vole survey

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.08 – Badger survey

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.09 – Bat potential roost features

Volume 3a – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Figure 6.10 – Reptile survey

Volume 3a – Chapter 7 – Freshwater Ecology – Figure 7.1 – Creag Riabhach Wind Farm extension boundary

Volume 3a – Chapter 7 – Freshwater Ecology – Figure 7.2 – Creag Riabhach Wind Farm extension survey sites

Volume 3a – Chapter 7 – Freshwater Ecology – Figure 7.3 – Statutory designations within 5km of proposed development

Volume 3a – Chapter 7 – Freshwater Ecology – Figure 7.4 – Location of biological monitoring sites for Creag Riabhach Wind Farm

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.01 – 2012 to 2013 Vantage point locations

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.02 – 2012 to 2013 Survey areas

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.03 – Internationally Designated Sites (SPA, RAMSAR)

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.04 – Nationally Designated Sites (SSSI)

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.05 – Golden eagle flights

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.06 – GET model

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.07 – Golden plover flights

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.08 – Pink-footed goose flights

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.09 – Greylag goose flights

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.10 – Whooper swan flights

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.11 – Arctic skua flights

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.12 – Meadow pipit territories

Volume 3a – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Figure 8.13 – Skylark territories

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.1 Hydrology Overview & GWDTE

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.2 Carbon and Peatland

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.3 – Interpolated Peat Depth

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.4 Peat Slide Risk Analysis

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.5 Slope Angle

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.6 Superficial Geology

Volume 3a – Chapter 9 – Figure 9.7 Bedrock Geology

Volume 3a – Chapter 12 – Noise – Figure 12.1 – Noise Contour Plot


Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Cover and Contents

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.17a-e – Viewpoint 1 A836 Southbound – NCN 1, South of Altnaharra

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.18a-e – Viewpoint 4 A836 Southbound – NCN 1, South of Loch Staing

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.19a-f – Viewpoint 6 Ben Kilbreck

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.20a-g – Viewpoint 8 A836 Northbound-NCN 1 near the Crask

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.21a-e – Viewpoint 12 Ben More Assynt

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.22a-e – Viewpoint 13 Beinn Sgeireach

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.23a-e – Viewpoint 17 A836, South of Crask Inn

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.24a-e – Viewpoint 18 The track to Loch Choire

Volume 3b – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.25a-h – Viewpoint 20 A836 at track to former Vagastie Cottage


Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Cover and Contents

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.17f-k – Viewpoint 1 A836 Southbound – NCN 1, South of Altnaharra

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.18f-k – Viewpoint 4 A836 Southbound – NCN 1, South of Loch Staing

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.19g-l – Viewpoint 6 Ben Kilbreck

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.20h-m – Viewpoint 8 A836 Northbound-NCN 1 near the Crask

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.21f-k – Viewpoint 12 Ben More Assynt

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.22f-k – Viewpoint 13 Beinn Sgeireach

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.23f-k – Viewpoint 17 A836, South of Crask Inn

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.24f-k – Viewpoint 18 The track to Loch Choire

Volume 3c – Chapter 5 – Figure 5.25i-n – Viewpoint 20 A836 at track to former Vagastie Cottage


Volume 4 Cover Page and Contents

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 3.1 – Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 3.2 – Deer Management Plan Update

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 5.1 – LVIA Methodology

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 5.2 – Viewpoint Analysis

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 5.3 – Appraisal of THC OWESG Criteria

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 5.3 – Scoped Out Viewpoints

Volume 4 – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Technical Appendix 6.1 – Terrestrial Ecology

Volume 4 – Chapter 6 – Terrestrial Ecology – Technical Appendix 6.2 – Biodiversity Enhancement and Restoration Plan

Volume 4 – Chapter 7 – Freshwater Ecology – Technical Appendix 7.1 – Freshwater Ecology

Volume 4 – Chapter 7 – Freshwater Ecology – Technical Appendix 7.2 – 2019 Preconstruction fish and invertebrate surveys for Creag Riabhach Wind Farm

Volume 4 – Chapter 8 – Ornithology – Technical Appendix 8.1 – Ornithology

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 9.1 – Peat Management Plan

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 9.2 – Peat Slide Risk Assessment

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 9.3 – CRWF Water Quality Management Plan

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 10.1 – Transport Assessment

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 14.1 – Forestry

Volume 4 – Technical Appendix 14.2 – Carbon Calculator Input and Output


Application Cover Letter_Redacted

Planning Statement

Pre-Application Consultation Report