Kiltarlity and Kirkhill voices call for action at Highland convention to address impact of major infrastructure
Community councillors for Kiltarlity and Kirkhill & Bunchrew delivered strong messages at Saturday’s convention in Beauly, say they are “fighting for the future” of their communities in the face of major infrastructure development across the Highlands.
The event, held at Phipps Hall, brought together over 300 representatives from 53 community councils from across the Highland Council area.
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Believed to be the largest such gathering to date, the meeting was called in response to the growing number of windfarms, battery storage projects, substations and transmission lines being proposed in rural areas, and the lack of meaningful consultation with local communities.
Speaking from the hosting panel, Susan Ogston of Kiltarlity Community Council said: “As community councils, we are on the frontlines.
“We hear the concerns of our residents. We see the effects of these policies on the ground. And we are fighting for the future of our communities.
“In Kiltarlity, the proposed Fanellan development threatens to change our village forever. If SSEN is allowed to use our roads as a thoroughfare, the character and charm of our community will be irreversibly altered.
“But this is not just about aesthetics, it’s about our health, our safety, and our way of life.
“The number of community councils represented here today is a testament to our shared commitment. Now, we call on our councillors and politicians at both local and national levels to match that commitment.
“Let us stand together. Let us make our voices heard.”
Cameron Kemp, speaking on behalf of Kirkhill and Bunchrew community council questioned whether small Highland communities are seeing any meaningful return.
“Our community is facing multiple proposals for renewable energy infrastructure on an industrial scale, with projects intended to transition the UK’s energy capacity and drive the green transition. The Highlands and Islands are not the principal beneficiary.
“Under threat locally are some of the most remote, beautiful and fragile landscapes, places that retain a visceral connection to our cultural heritage — the bustling village of Beauly, the rural communities where traditions are strong, Kiltarlity, Fanellan, Kilmorack, Newtonhill, Cabrich, Kirkhill to name a few.
“These developments are a direct threat to those communities and our natural environment, our heritage, and our biggest industry — tourism.
“We are being told to sacrifice this. We are being told that we have to bear this. We are being told that all of this is for our benefit.
“There has been no economic impact assessment of the costs to our communities.”
Mr Kemp said community benefit funds do not reflect what is being lost, and warned that key issues such as mental health, property values and business viability were being overlooked.
“Piecemeal plans divide our communities. Instead, we could create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to offer something that would benefit and revitalise our rural communities – to reverse the trend of depopulation and offer a future for our youth.
“We need our elected members to support and protect our communities at national level, given that community consultation is inadequate and local democracy is being ignored.”
The convention concluded with a unanimous vote in support of a joint declaration calling for a national planning inquiry and an immediate “pause” on major infrastructure applications until their cumulative impact can be properly assessed.
