The UK Supreme Court has upheld planning consent for the Clashindarroch 2 onshore wind farm in Scotland, concluding a lengthy legal process and affirming the Scottish Government’s original decision to approve the project.
The ruling marks the fourth time the case has been brought before the courts and effectively ends years of legal opposition to the development.
Vattenfall, the project’s developer, welcomed the verdict, saying it confirms the validity of the government’s approval and highlights the need for reforms to reduce delays caused by repeated legal challenges.
“This is a welcome decision which completely vindicates the Scottish Government’s decision to award planning consent to Clashindarroch 2 Wind Farm,” said Matt Bacon, Vattenfall’s head of onshore wind market development UK. “This protracted process demonstrates why changes to streamline the judicial review process and prevent vexatious challenges are so urgently needed.”
The project will expand on the original Clashindarroch wind farm, which has been operational for a decade. Vattenfall said the new development will increase annual community funding to more than £800,000 and support conservation efforts, including initiatives to protect the endangered Scottish wildcat.
The decision provides a final legal green light for the project, which forms part of Scotland’s broader renewable energy strategy aimed at increasing onshore wind capacity and delivering local economic and environmental benefits.
