Project Info

The majority of the turbines would be located on the Bracadale Estate, on land which forms part of the Balmeanach and Caroy Common Grazings. Wind2 have been working with the Balmeanach and Caroy Grazings Committee on the development of the scheme.

The project consists of up to 10 wind turbines with a blade tip height of 149.9m and an estimated overall capacity of 45MW. The design has been developed by a multidisciplinary project team, through a consultation process taking into consideration feedback from consultees, the community and experienced consultants.

The project team have undertaken a suite of environmental surveys and assessments across the site. The results have been incorporated into the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the design process, informing the finalised layout that strikes the optimum balance between maximising renewable energy generation and its associated benefits whilst reducing any adverse impacts to a practicable minimum through a considered mitigation plan.

Wind2 requested a formal Scoping Opinion from the Highland Council in 2022. This process formalised the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required to inform the planning application.

The scoping documentation can be viewed using the links below:

Balmeanach Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report 22/03875/SCOP

Balmeanach EIA Scoping Report Figures 22/03875/SCOP

In August 2023, the planning application was be submitted to The Highland Council. The planning application documents are available to view through the below links. These documents will be available through The Highland Council planning website in due course, where you are invited to pass comment on the proposals.

Balmeanach Planning Statement

Balmeanach PAC Report

Balmeanach Design and Access Statement

Vol 1 Non-Technical Summary

Vol 2 Ch1 Introduction

Vol 2 Ch2 Site Design

Vol 2 Ch3 Description of the Development

Vol 2 Ch4 Policy Context

Vol 2 Ch5 EIA

Vol 2 Ch6 Scoping Consultation

Vol 2 Ch7 Landscape

Vol 2 Ch8 Ecology

Vol 2 Ch9 Ornithology

Vol 2 Ch10 Hydrology Hydrogeology Soils

Vol 2 Ch11 Cultural Heritage

Vol 2 Ch12 Site Access Traffic Transport

Vol 2 Ch13 Noise

Vol 2 Ch14 Socio economic and Land Use

Vol 2 Ch15 Other Considerations

Vol 2 Ch16 Schedule of Commitments

Figures:

Vol 1 NTS Figure 1 Site Location

Vol 1 NTS Figure 2 Application Boundary

Vol 1 NTS Figure 3 Site Layout

Vol3a Figure 1 1 Site Location

Vol3a Figure 1 2 Application Boundary

Vol3a Figure 2 1 Environmental Designations

Vol3a Figure 2 2 Traffic Light Constraints

Vol3a Figure 2 3 Site Layout Evolution

Vol3a Figure 2 4 Predicted Visibility of the Site from Balmeanach and Edinbane

Vol3a Fig 3 1 Site Layout Plan

Vol3a Fig 3 2 Site Access

Vol3a Fig 3 3 Typical Turbine Elevation

Vol3a Fig 3 4 Indicative Turbine Foundation

Vol3a Fig 3 5 Indicative Track Detail

Vol3a Fig 3 6 Indicative Crane Hardstanding

Vol3a Fig 3 7 Indicative Cable Trench

Vol3a Fig 3 8 Indicative Substation Compound

Vol3a Fig 3 9 Typical Control Building Elevation

Vol3a Fig 3 10 Indicative Construction Compound

Vol3a Fig 3 11a Borrow Pit 1

Vol3a Fig 3 11b Borrow Pit 2

Vol3a Fig 3 11c Borrow Pit 3

Vol3a Fig 3 11d Borrow Pit 4

Vol3a Fig 3 12 Proposed Met Mast

Vol3a Figure 5 1a Cumulative Developments within 10km of Site

Vol3a Figure 5 1b Cumulative Developments at Scoping Stage within 10km of Site

Vol3a Figure 7 1 Study Area and Landform

Vol3a Figure 7 2 Landscape Designations

Vol3a Figure 7 3 Landscape Character Types

Vol3a Figure 7 4 Key Routes and Settlements

Vol3a Figure 7 5a Blade Tip and Hub ZTV

Vol3a Figure 7 5b Blade Tip ZTV

Vol3a Figure 7 5c Hub Height ZTV

Vol3a Figure 7 5d Blade Tip and Hub ZTV A0 Reduced Size

Vol3a Figure 7 6 Proposed Substation ZTV

Vol3a Figure 7 7 ZTV with Landscape Designations

Vol3a Figure 7 8 ZTV with Landscape Character Types

Vol3a Figure 7 9 ZTV with Key Routes and Settlements

Vol3a Figure 7 10 Operational Wind Farms

Vol3a Figure 7 11 ZTV Balmeanach with Edinbane and Ben Aketil

Vol3a Figure 7 12 ZTV Balmeanach with Summerdale Croft and Meadale Farm

Vol3a Figure 7 13 Cumulative Wind Farms

Vol3a Figure 7 14 ZTV Balmeanach Ben Sca Ben Sca Extension with Glen Ullinish

Vol3a Figure 7 15 ZTV Balmeanach and Beinn Mhead

Vol 3f Figure 8 1 Designated Sites within 10 km

Vol 3f Figure 8 2 Historic Areas of Peat with NVC

Vol 3f Figure 10 1 Local Hydrology

Vol 3f Figure 10 2 Soils

Vol 3f Figure 10 3 Carbon and Peatland 2016 Map

Vol 3f Figure 10 4 Superficial Geology

Vol 3f Figure 10 5 A Bedrock Geology

Vol 3f Figure 10 5 B Bedrock Geology Legend

Vol 3f Figure 10 6 Groundwater Vulnerability

Vol 3f Figure 10 7 Regional Hydrogeology

Vol 3f Figure 10 8 GWDTE

Vol 3f Figure 11 1 Gazetteer Assets

Vol 3f Figure 11 2 Heritage Designations

Vol 3f Figure 11 3 Heritage Viewpoints

Vol 3 F Figure 11 4 CH VP01 Dun Neill

Vol 3 F Figure 11 5 CH VP02 Dun Arkaig Broch LR

Vol 3 F Figure 11 6 CH VP03 Dun Feorlig

Vol 3 F Figure 11 7 CH VP04 Abhainn Bhaile Mheadhonaich

Vol 3 F Figure 11 8 CH VP05 Dun Osdale

Vol 3 F Figure 11 9 CH VP06 Dun Flashader

Vol 3 F Figure 11 10 CH VP07 Ullinish Lodge

Vol 3 F Figure 11 11 CH VP08 Barpannan

Vol 3 F Figure 11 12 CH VP09 Ullinish Fort

Vol 3 F Figure 11 13 CH VP01 Dun Neil

Vol 3 F Figure 11 14 CH VP02 Dun Arkaig Broch LR

Vol 3 F Figure 11 15 CH VP03 Dun Feorlig

Vol 3 F Figure 11 16 CH VP04 Abhainn Bhaile Mheadhonaich

Vol 3 F Figure 11 17 CH VP05 Dun Osdale

Vol 3 F Figure 11 18 CH VP06 Dun Flashader

Vol 3 F Figure 11 19 CH VP07 Ullinish Lodge

Vol 3 F Figure 11 20 CH VP08 Barpannan

Vol 3 F Figure 11 21 CH VP09 Ullinish Fort

Vol 3f Figure 12 1 Study Area

Vol 3f Figure 12 2 Traffic Count Location

Vol 3f Figure 12 3 Accident Locations

Vol 3f Figure 12 4 Proposed Abnormal Load Route

Vol 3f Figure 12 5 Quarry Locations

Vol3f Figure 13 1 Noise Study Area Receptor and Measurement Locations

Vol 3f Figure 14 1 Zone of Theoretical Visibility

Vol 3f Figure 14 2 Community Council Areas

Vol 3f Figure 14 3 Socio Economic and Land Use Plan

Technical Appendices:

Vol 4a TA3 1 CEMP Final

Vol4a TA 3 2 BPA Final with Figures

Vol4a TA3 3 Woodland Removal Report with Figures

Vol 4a TA4 1 Legislation Policy Guidance Final

Vol 4a TA6 1 Scoping Response Comments Final

Vol4a TA 7 1 LVIA Methodology Final

Vol4a TA7 2 ZTV Visualisation Methodology Final

Vol4a TA7 3 Viewpoint Assessment Final

Vol4a TA7 4 RVAA Final ALL

Vol4a TA8 1 Vegetation Habitat Mapping Final w Figs

Vol4a Figure 8 1 1 Site Location and Survey Areas

Vol4a Figure 8 1 2 UK Habitat Classification

Vol4a Figure 8 1 3 National Vegetation Classification

Vol4a TA8 2 Fish Habitat Final w Figs

Vol4a TA8 3 Mammal Report Final w Fig

Vol4a TA8 4 Bat Survey Report Final w Fig

Vol4a TA8 5 OHMP Final w Fig

Vol4a TA9 1 Figures 9 1 1 to 9 1 11 Ornithology

Vol4a TA 9 3 Collision Risk Assessment w Figs

Vol4a TA 9 6 Population Modelling WTE

Vol 4b TA10 1 PLHRA Figures 10 1 1 to 10 1 9

Vol 4b TA10 1 PLHRA Final w Annexes

Vol 4b TA10 2 PMP Final w Figs

Vol4b TA 11 1 Gazetteer of Heritage Assets Final

Vol4b TA 11 2 Appraisal of Designated Heritage Assets Final

Vol4b TA 11 3 Walkover Reports Final

Vol 4b TA12 1 AILRS A Text LR

Vol 4b TA12 1 AILRS B Swept Paths LR

Vol 4b TA12 3 Traffic Data

Vol 4b TA12 4 Accident Data

Vol 4b TA13 1 Amplitude Modulation Final

Vol 4b TA13 2 Cumulative Limits Final

Vol 4b TA13 3 Turbine Data Final

Vol 4b TA13 4 ETSU R 97 Graphs Final

Vol 4b TA14 1 Accommodation Schedule Final

Vol 4b TA14 2 PAMP w Fig

Vol4b TA 15 1 Carbon Calculator w Annex

NatureScot Visualisations:

Vol3b Figure 7 16 VP1 A863 LR

Vol3b Figure 7 17 VP2 Edinbane LR

Vol3b Figure 7 18 VP3 A863 LR

Vol3b Figure 7 19 VP4 Roag LR

Vol3b Figure 7 20 VP5 A850 LR

Vol3b Figure 7 21 VP6 A863 LR

Vol3b Figure 7 22 VP7 Road to Greshornish LR

Vol3b Figure 7 23 VP8 B885 Road LR

Vol3b Figure 7 24 VP9 Kingsburgh LR

Vol3b Figure 7 25 VP10 A850 A87 LR

Vol3c Figure 7 26 VP11 Macleods Table LR

Vol3c Figure 7 27 VP12 Fiscavaig LR

Vol3c Figure 7 28 VP13 A87 LR

Vol3c Figure 7 29 VP14 Totaig LR

Vol3c Figure 7 30 VP15 The Storr LR

Vol3c Figure 7 31 VP16 Ben Tianavaig LR

Vol3c Figure 7 32 VP17 Uig Idrigill LR

Vol3c Figure 7 33 VP18 Uig Lochmaddy

Vol3c Figure 7 34 VP19 Beinn Edra LR

Vol3c Figure 7 35 VP20 Bruach na Frithe LR

The Highland Council Visualisations:

Vol3d Figure 7 36 VP1 A863 LR

Vol3d Figure 7 37 VP2 Edinbane LR

Vol3d Figure 7 38 VP3 A863 near Gearymore LR

Vol3d Figure 7 39 VP4 Roag LR

Vol3d Figure 7 40 VP5 A850 between Dunvegan and Edinbane LR

Vol3d Figure 7 41 VP6 Junction of A863 LR

Vol3d Figure 7 42 VP7 Road to Greshornish LR

Vol3d Figure 7 43 VP8 B885 Road LR

Vol3d Figure 7 44 VP9 Kingsburgh LR

Vol3d Figure 7 45 VP10 A850 A87 LR

Vol3e Figure 7 46 VP11 Macleods Table LR

Vol3e Figure 7 47 VP12 Fiscavaig LR

Vol3e Figure 7 48 VP13 A87 near Cuidrach LR

Vol3e Figure 7 49 VP14 Totaig LR

Vol3e Figure 7 50 VP15 The Storr LR

Vol3e Figure 7 51 VP16 Ben Tianavaig LR

Vol3e Figure 7 52 VP17 Uig Idrigill LR

Vol3e Figure 7 53 VP18 Uig Lochmaddy

Vol3e Figure 7 54 VP19 Beinn Edra LR

Vol3e Figure 7 55 VP20 Bruach na Frithe LR

Based on an installed capacity of up to 45MW, Balmeanach Wind Farm would have the potential to generate around 167,140 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually, sufficient to meet the needs of around 47,630 homes, while offsetting approximately 32,322 tonnes of CO₂ per year*.

*Calculation correct as of December 2022 based on RenewableUK methodology, utilising the most recent household consumption and non-renewable emissions statistics from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) (https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained)

In May 2025, we submitted further information to The Highland Council revising the wind farm plans. Within the information supplied to The Highland Council, the proposed Balmeanach Wind Farm proposes to retain the 149.9m turbine tip height but has reduced the overall scale of the project by one turbine following feedback and advice from NatureScot and THC. Consequently, Balmeanach Wind Farm has been reduced to nine turbines. You can view the revised plans through The Highland Council planning portal (reference 23/04194/FUL) - https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wa...

You can view the revised layout by clicking on the the below link. All other documentation reflecting the revised plans will be available to view here in due course.

Vol 1 BAL SEI NTS Figure 3 Revised Site Layout