Kinlochbervie residents are calling for the publication of a community survey carried out more than a year ago asking local people whether they supported a proposed wind farm.
Kinlochbervie Community Council conducted the survey in June 2025 over proposals by Galileo Empower for a development featuring 15 turbines, each reaching 200 metres in height.
Residents raising concerns say the results have never been made public.
Minutes from the Community Council record that completed questionnaires were provided to Galileo representatives at a meeting on 24 June 2025.
Margaret Meek, who has lived in Kinlochbervie for 35 years and is secretary of Kinlochbervie Community Company, said:
“The simple question ‘Are you in favour of the windfarm?’ was part of a survey conducted at that time.
“It’s a pretty straightforward yes or no, but it has been withheld from all of us.
“Why is it being covered up?
“We don’t even know how many surveys were returned. Everything must now be published in the interest of transparency.”
The proposed development would include a substation, control building, anemometry mast, battery energy storage system, new access roads and aviation lighting, while a solar array is also being considered.
With no nearby grid connection, opponents say a major new overhead line could also be required across 20 or 30 miles to connect with infrastructure at Shin or Dalchork.
The location adds considerably to the controversy surrounding the proposals.
The development site is within a designated Wild Land Area and surrounded by land accredited as a National Scenic Area, while the wider landscape includes important peatland and several environmental designations.
The area is also entirely within the North West Highlands Geopark, which holds UNESCO Global Geopark status.
Kinlochbervie Community Council has suggested another community survey could be conducted once Galileo submits its formal planning application.
Residents questioning that approach argue the statutory objection period would leave only four weeks to circulate another survey and collect responses in a remote community where internet access and use can present additional challenges.
Kinlochbervie crofter Susan Black said:
“Since the plan for the wind farm was announced over a year ago, many people in the community have felt that there has been too little opportunity for their views to be heard.
“We would welcome publication of the survey responses, so that the community can see what views have been expressed.
“At a time when there are such significant proposals for our area, it is important that the Community Council is clearly seen to be representing the views and concerns of local residents.
“This giant development will bring in millions for the landowner, but the rest of us are faced with devastation of the landscape we love.”
The dispute comes amid a much wider debate about the expansion of renewable generation in Scotland and whether electricity transmission infrastructure is keeping pace with development.
For Kinlochbervie, however, the immediate question is considerably simpler.
A community was asked what it thought about a major development more than a year ago, and residents now want to know what their community said.
