John Muir Trust agrees legal costs with SSE

The John Muir Trust has agreed to pay Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) £50,000 in final settlement of court costs for the Stronelairg legal case, bringing its campaign against the Stronelairg wind farm development to a conclusion.

Helen McDade, head of policy at the John Muir Trust says: “The Trust took this legal case because the Stronelairg development will destroy a large area of wild land. We believed that the consent of a massive windfarm in the Monadhliath mountains was the result of a defective planning process. The Trust won the initial judicial review with the judge stating that the case was taken in the public interest. Losing the case at appeal more than doubled the Trust’s potential liability and prevented us from continued action. This case has highlighted in planning and legal circles the urgent need for planning reform.

"Two weeks ago SSE were pursuing the Trust for costs of £350,000, which would have been devastating for any environmental organisation and a deterrent for anyone that might consider seeking environmental justice in the future. Naturally the John Muir Trust is relieved to have negotiated to reach a much reduced settlement. The generosity of more than a thousand supporters means that the Trust could take this important case on behalf of people and nature. Undeterred, we will continue to stand up for wild places, while working towards a sustainable future.”

Read more background on the JMT website.