Viking Energy gets legal go-ahead for Shetland windfarm

The way is clear for the 103-turbine Viking Energy windfarm to go ahead on the mainland of Shetland after the Court of Session overturned a previous ruling by Lady Clark that the Scottish Government's granting of permission contravened the European Birds Directive.

Full story from Shetland News here http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/8850-court-rules-in-viking-energy-s-favour

The possibility of an appeal to the European Court of Justice remains for anti-windfarm group Sustainable Shetland.

Statement from Viking Energy:
         
Three of Scotland's top judges have today ruled that Viking Energy should keep its government consent to build a 103-turbine wind farm in Shetland.

Lord Brodie delivered the Opinion of The Inner House of the Court of Session that the consent application was competent, that Scottish ministers acted lawfully in issuing the decision letter and there was no breach of the EU Birds Directive.

Viking Energy Shetland chairman Alan Bryce said:

“We are pleased that the judges have found in favour of Scottish ministers, who awarded consent to build the wind farm more than two years ago. Their decision has been vindicated today and we can now move on.

“We believed the consent decision would stand up to the closest scrutiny and this outcome validates our position that this project can benefit the local and wider environment.

 “The potential for substantial economic and environmental benefits for Shetland means that Viking Energy is in this for the long haul and we continue to look forward to advancing our plans to build what could become the world’s most productive wind farm and a crown jewel of Shetland’s economy.”

The full court judgment can be read here.