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SSE this week said it would withdraw its application to the Scottish government to build a 72.5MW wind farm at Waterhead Moor near Largs in North Ayrshire following designation as a European Special Protection Area, which is aimed partly at protecting hen harrier habitats there.

Citing "construction and planning challenges" SSE’s director of onshore renewables David Gardner said: "The site had the wind resource and the site dynamics to be a very good project, but having listened to the concerns of the key consultees we have concluded that the reasonable action to take is to focus our resources elsewhere".

Aedan Smith, head of planning at bird conservation group RSPB Scotland said: "It is very encouraging that SSE gave part of their reason for withdrawal as being due to the environmental importance of the site. We have always maintained this is an unsuitable place for a wind farm".