Complaints temporarily shutdown Sutherland wind farm

Noise levels at wind farms must comply with Scottish government guidance

Highland Council ordered that turbines at a wind farm be shut down on a temporary basis after nearby residents complained about noise from the site.

People living near the 23-turbine development at Achany, near Lairg, Sutherland, had complained to the local authority.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) was served with a notice to stop the turbines turning earlier this month.

Highland Council said the order had since been lifted.

The local authority said its planning staff had been concerned that SSE had not committed to the submission of a report on noise monitoring at Achany wind farm.

Noise generation

Noise levels must comply with guidance from the Scottish government, while the submission of a report on monitoring was a requirement placed on the site by the council.

Highland Council served a notice temporarily stopping operations at the farm on 6 June, but the order was lifted a few days later.

A spokeswoman said: "The operators immediately complied with the notice and met planning staff to agree a timetable for the submission of the noise monitoring data."

She added: "There is also agreement that the operators will form a liaison group with Highland Council and the Achany residents to monitor and review the operation of the wind farm particularly in respect of noise generation.

"Given these agreements the council lifted the temporary stop notice."