RSPB Scotland has won a legal challenge against four large offshore wind farm projects in the outer firths of the Forth and Tay.

The Scottish Government granted consent for the Neart na Gaoithe, Inch Cape, SeaGreen Alpha and SeaGreen Bravo wind farms in 2014.

The developments could power over 1.4 million homes and reduce carbon savings by an estimated 135 million tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime.

RSPB said it took the legal challenge decision "as a last resort" after thousands of wildlife were predicted to be killed by the developments each year.

Concerns were also raised over the wind farms' impact by the Government's statutory nature conservation advisors Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.


Lloyd Austin, Head of Conservation Policy at RSPB Scotland, said the legal judgment is complex and the organisation will need time to fully consider its implication.

"RSPB Scotland is encouraged by the decisions of the Court, which have recognised the huge risks from these four offshore windfarms on Scotland’s internationally important areas for seabirds," he said.

"This case demonstrates the critical importance of clear and effective environmental regulation that is properly implemented, as well as the importance of access to justice for NGOs and citizens to be able to ask the courts to scrutinise public decisions.

"RSPB Scotland will continue to robustly resist any projects which threaten Scotland’s best places for wildlife. However, we also remain resolutely supportive of the development of renewable energy sources in Scotland.  There is an urgent need to decarbonise our energy systems to tackle the causes of climate change which are a major long term threat to wildlife."

(LM/CD)