A formal planning application has now been submitted for a windfarm within sight of scenic Dava Moor.
Developer RES wants to erect 20 turbines at Cairn Duhie, south-east of Ferness between Nairn and Grantown.
The project will have an installed capacity of approximately 50-60MW, depending on final turbine selection, and the application has therefore been submitted directly to the Scottish Government’s energy consents and deployment unit.
The submission follows an extensive period of consultation led by RES, which included a series of public exhibitions in September, and meetings with representatives of the local community councils and residents associations.
However a campaign group has been formed to fight the plan.
Dava No More has attracted support from Pat Wells, who has campaigned against windfarms for the past 12 years, including those affecting Dava Moor.
Ms Wells, of Tomatin, said: “Every new windfarm constructed destroys more land and wildlife and adds more subsidies to our electricity bills.
“Public pressure is a powerful tool. We must use it to save the Dava from this wanton industrialisation.
“Dava Moor has a wild uniqueness all of its own and should be treasured – not trashed – by those privileged enough to own it during their time in this world.”
Fiona Stevens, RES project manager, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation process and provided RES with their comments on our proposal.
“RES has completed extensive environmental surveys at the site and we are confident it is an ideal location for a windfarm.
“We have sensitively designed Cairn Duhie to minimise local impacts whilst maximising renewable energy generation.”
If granted planning permission the windfarm will be capable of generating enough renewable electricity to meet the average annual requirements of between 31,000-32,000 homes.
It will also provide a community benefits package of approximately £250,000 per year, index linked. This will be split between a community benefit fund for investment in local projects and RES’s innovative local electricity discount scheme, which provides an annual discount on electricity bills to nearest neighbours.
The Scottish Government is now undertaking a formal consultation process, during which people have a further opportunity to comment.