'John O' Groat Journal do have significant concerns': RSPB considers newly submitted plans for Forsinain Forest wind farm next to nature reserve. Published: 15:54, 31 August 2026 "Significant concerns" have been raised over a proposed new wind farm that would border the internationally recognised Flow Country World Heritage Site. Renewable energy firm Low Carbon has submitted an application to the Scottish Government for permission to build 12 turbines and a substation on land between Melvich and Forsinard. The Forsinain Forest Wind Farm is an 86 megawatt scheme proposed for land three kilometres north of Forsinard and 16 kilometres south of Melvich. The company behind the plans says that the site "sits predominantly within non-native commercial forestry and fully outwith the Flow Country Unesco World Heritage Site". It has also promised to incorporate "forest-to-bog restoration" which would help to restore peatland habitats and support long-term carbon sequestration alongside renewable energy generation. But the RSPB, which manages its Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve on neighbouring land, is concerned about the impact of the wind farm on wildlife and nature. The Flow Country was given Unesco World Heritage Site status for its globally important peatlands in July 2024 and Highland Council this year agreed to enhance protections of the full extent of the site to protect its Outstanding Universal Value - a standard that Unesco uses to assess future compatibility with World Heritage status. A spokesperson for the RSPB said: "RSPB Scotland is supportive of renewable energy, but all development, including wind farms, must be carefully sited to avoid adverse effects on wildlife and protected sites for nature. "John O' Groat Journal has just been consulted on the full application for Forsinain Forest Wind Farm and will be carefully considering the proposed development. "However, we do have significant concerns over a wind farm at this very sensitive location for nature, [close to] the heart of the Flow Country Unesco World Heritage Site, adjacent to nationally and internationally protected sites for nature and RSPB's Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve." Low Carbon's plans include associated infrastructure, including new and upgraded access tracks, a substation, and on-site construction facilities. Its 12-turbine Forsinain Forest wind farm would be expected to generate around 318,000 MWh of electricity per year, which it says would be enough to power more than 98,000 UK homes. The turbines would be up to 219 metres high. The wind farm developer is also proposing a community benefit fund of £5000 per MW, equivalent to approximately £432,000 per year. It also says that an estimated £1 million per year would be paid in business rates to Highland Council. Andy Sloan, project development director at Low Carbon, said: "Forsinain Forest is a key part of its growing pipeline of onshore wind in Scotland, which if approved, will support Scottish climate targets, help accelerate the UK's transition to clean energy and bolster energy security by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. "By combining clean energy generation with nature restoration and long-term community benefit, Forsinain Forest can help to deliver lasting economic value for the communities that host it." The Flow Country Partnership, which works to protect, restore and enrich the peatland habitat, has also been approached for comment.

Wind farm planned close to Flow Country World Heritage Site. Fri, August 28, 2026 at 8:30 AM PDT Plans for up to 12 wind turbines near the Flow Country World Heritage Site in the Highlands have been submitted to the Scottish government. Low Carbon said its Forsinain Forest Wind Farm, proposed for land 2 miles (3km) north of Forsinard, would be "fully outwith" the Unesco-designated site. It said the project include proposals to restore 383 acres of non-native forest to peatbog. The world heritage site covers almost 469,500 acres of one of the most intact and extensive blanket bog systems in the world. Unesco status was achieved for the Flow Country, which includes parts of Caithness and Sutherland, in July 2024 after an almost 40-year campaign. Low Carbon had planned up to 19 turbines but reduced the number during a series of "design refinements". The company said the project could generate enough electricity to power more than 98,000 homes each year. It added that a community benefit fund associated with the wind farm could be worth about £432,000 per year, and the project could provide an estimated £1m annually in business rates for Highland Council. Andy Sloan, project development director at Low Carbon, said: "Forsinain Forest is a key part of our growing pipeline of onshore wind in Scotland, which if approved, will support Scottish climate targets, help accelerate the UK's transition to clean energy and bolster energy security by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. "By combining clean energy generation with nature restoration and long-term community benefit, Forsinain Forest can help to deliver lasting economic value for the communities that host it." 'Significant concerns' The Flow Country's rare blanket bog ecosystem supports a range of notable species including a host of sphagnum mosses and other wetland plants. There are all sorts of insects and a host of rare birds including greenshank, golden plover, dunlin and hen harrier. The Flow Country Partnership has been contacted for comment. RSPB Scotland, which manages a reserve at Forsinard, said it was supportive of "carefully sited" renewable energy schemes. A spokesperson said: "We have just been consulted on the full application for Forsinain Forest Wind Farm and will be carefully considering the proposed development. "However, we do have significant concerns over a wind farm at this very sensitive location for nature, in the heart of The Flow Country Unesco World Heritage Site, adjacent to nationally and internationally protected sites for nature and RSPB's Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve."