Habitat Management Plan for Strathy South

As lead advisers for SSE Renewables, our Ecology team handled the ornithological and ecological aspects associated with the Strathy South Wind Farm planning process.

Challenge

We successfully supported our client in obtaining consent for the development. The site was surrounded by peatlands, the Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), and Ramsar wetlands, which are of international importance and designated for the rare and protected species they support.

We designed the Habitat Management Plan (HMP) for the development to restore some 1,200ha of commercial forestry plantation planted on areas of deep peat, tying the area back into the surrounding peatlands of the SAC.

Both the development’s HMP and supporting Deer Management Plan (DMP) received approval from NatureScot, a public body of the Scottish Government responsible for the country's natural heritage. We have now completed the first year of the implementation plan, assessing the restoration potential of the site. Phased restoration activities will take place over the next five years, with subsequent monitoring implemented for the remainder of the wind farm’s lifespan to ensure the success of the plan.

Solution

After an extended period of survey spanning over 10 years and several amendments to the site design, SSE Renewables successfully gained consent for the wind farm.

We are currently part of the Habitat Management Plan Steering Group which aims to review and advise on best practices regarding peatland restoration to maximise opportunities for success. The Group, formed at the request of the Scottish Ministers and local planning authority, draws on links from the peatland academic community to ensure appropriate expertise is included in advising on the proposals of restoration plans.