Rothes — Save Wild Moray

Rothes 3 - 29 turbines up to 225 metres high

Rothes 3 takes Industrial Wind in Moray to a whole new level - proposing a further 29 turbines, the majority up to a staggering 225 meters in height (that’s over 730 feet!!). Being presented as an extension of the existing Rothes 1 & 2 developments (already with 40 turbines), this will scar Speyside beyond belief and be visible from many corners of Moray including dominating views from Ben Rinnes, the most important Landmark Hill of all in Moray.

The planning application was formally launched by the Norwegian owned conglomerate Fred Olsen Renewables on 08 Feb 2019, the very day that the Public Consultation window closed on the 48 turbine Clashgour development. These two developments are next door to each other and represent 77 NEW turbines, as part of the massive Upper Lossie conglomeration of close to 300 turbines in total. Another Fred Olsen development (Pauls Hill 2) is within a few hundred metres of Rothes 3 and has been turned down by Moray Council Planning Committee but is now being considered by the Scottish Government. A fourth development proposal at Berry Burn 2 (within metres of Clashgour) is currently in scoping, with a Planning Application expected soon.

Feeding the money machine. In the first half of 2020 the Rothes 1 & 2 developments received almost £1 million in Constraint Payments - NOT to produce power. Just a fraction of the Public money poured into this foreign owned commercial venture which in 2018 made profits of nearly £6 million for its local land owners and foreign owners.

We really are dealing with a ruthless Developer feeding frenzy in this beautiful part of Speyside & Upper Lossie - presumably as they panic that the Public will soon wake up to what’s really going on - and your help is needed to stop it.

For those of you struggling to get Moray planning permission for an extension to your garden shed (?!), its hard to think that such a development stands any chance of success but we all have to be alert as Fred Olsen Renewables certainly have form when it comes to doing all they can to destroy this part of Moray’s wild uplands. It also seems extraordinary that Speyside land owners should be content to collaborate in developments of this nature.

Part of Fred Olsens existing development at Rothes 1 & 2. Their THIRD extension threatens a further 29 Turbines, MOST up to 225 metres tall.

Impression showing impact of proposed Clashgour eastern block, almost contiguous with Rothes 1,2 & 3, turning the malt Whisky trail in to a Turbine Alley

Impression showing impact of proposed Clashgour eastern block, almost contiguous with Rothes 1,2 & 3, turning the Malt Whisky trail in to a Turbine Alley

Who’s behind the Rothes 3 Development

This development is being made possible in conjunction with Rothes Estate, Knockando Estate & the Forestry Commission.

The most directly affected Community Councils are Heldon & Speyside who’s response to this proposal should play a critical part in it being rejected.

Likewise the Moray Councillors for the Clashgour area are Derek Ross & Louise Laing and whilst they will already recognise the damage these developments wreak on Moray it would do no harm for this to be reinforced by the people whom they represent.

Click here for more details on what you can do to formally register your views

See Fast Facts for general concerns over Rothes 3

The Save Wild Moray team can be contacted on: hub@savewildmoray.com