RSPB refused permission to appeal North Sea wind farms decision

Construction of four offshore wind farms in the North Sea is set to go ahead after the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds failed in a final attempt to challenge the permission for the developments.

A panel of three Justices of the UK Supreme Court refused an application by the RSPB for permission to appeal a decision of the Inner House of the Court of Session, reversing the Lord Ordinary and holding that the Scottish ministers had followed proper procedures and given adequate reasons for their decision to approve the proposed developments of Inch Cape, Seagreen Alpha, Seagreen Bravo and Neart na Gaoith in the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay (click here for report).

The RSPB objected to the developments on the basis that they could have an adverse impact to several species of seabirds which had protected habitats in the Firth of Forth and on the Angus coast.

In a statement the Supreme Court said: "Permission to appeal has been refused on the grounds that the application does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered at this time, bearing in mind that the case has already been the subject of judicial decision and reviewed on appeal."