A Planning application for this wind farm is Imminent. We are monitoring the edinburgh gazette every day watching for the application. If you are appalled by the idea of a wind farm in this area REGISTER HERE and we will inform you when the application is made and to whom objections should be made.

Cairn Duhie Wind Farm

Location:

Unspoiled heather & peat moorland, on the Dava Moor approximately 10 km Southwest of Forres. While the wind farm is within the Highland Council zone, it borders directly onto the boundry of Moray Council.

Height AMSL:

Ground height is around 900 Feet above mean sea level

Turbines

15 x 328 foot turbines (approx 1200 amsl)

11 Reasons why Dava Moor is NOT suitable for development of wind farms

1. Most of Dava Moor lies within an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) as designated by Highland Council as worthy of special recognition within the region. Just to put this into context, Loch Ness is similarly designated.

2. Highland Council's Renewable Energy Strategy classes Dava Moor as carrying a "Presumption against development" of wind farms.

3. Highland Council classify Dava Moor, along with Rannoch Moor, as being areas of peatland of "regional Landscape Significance", best retained as large scale areas of open space.

4. Blanket Boglands are recommended under European regulations as being a globally rare resource, with their overall area not to be diminished in size or quality wherever possible.

5. Disturbance to peat releases CO2 which has been gradually storing up within it for thousands of years. This acts against the reasoning in favour of wind farm development, ie: To reduce CO2 emissions. There have been scientific analysis of the peat within the Dava and in some areas almost 50% of the dry weight of the peat is Carbon!

Read a report HERE about what happened in Ireland when they tried to build a wind farm on peat blanket bog.

6. The Dava peatlands act like a giant sponge during heavy rainfall. The area drains into the River Findhorn. If these complex soils are disturbed by excavation for wind farms, flood flows into this volatile river could be adversely affected, especially in populated areas near to the river such as Forres.

7. Many sites formally protected by European legislation surround Dava and development of the moor for industrial scale wind energy would compromise the integrity and significance of these areas environmental values.

8. The Dava area acts as a linkage route for wildlife between the valleys of the Rivers Spey and Findhorn. This route has existed for centuries and this route's function could well be disturbed by 300 foot high moving structures with the corridor permanently altering the habits of birds and animals that use it.

9. Many of the wildlife species that are present on Dava Moor are protected by European Laws, which legislate that disturbance to these species is contrary to legislation. Just some of these species are: Golden Eagle, Hen Harries, Red Kite, Merlin, Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Red & black throated Divers, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Osprey, Redshank, Red squirrel, Pine Martin and Wildcat.

10. The A939 road through Dava is part of the official Tourist Route between Inverness and Aberdeen. It is the least developed section of the entire route between the two destinations and gives our visitors some amazing views. This road also acts as a major entry point into the Cairngorm National Park for tourists.

11. The presence of the ruined island castle on Lochindorb, the many abandoned crofts and the notoriety of past winter weather on Dava Moor all combine to create an atmosphere which culturally inspires people who visit. This includes regular travellers across the Moor and many writers and artists also testify to this in their work. Wind Farm development within it would ruin this valuable aspect of the Moor for many people, visitors and local folk alike.

A Planning application for this wind farm is Imminent. We are monitoring the Edinburgh gazette every day watching for the application. If you are appalled by the idea of a wind farm in this area REGISTER HERE and we will inform you when the application is made and to whom objections should be made.

Or contact

Save our Dava

Jean Munro - 01479 873022