Scottish ministers have refused a proposal to build a 31-turbine wind farm.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the Allt Duine wind project is not sustainable as it would result in “significant and unacceptable” landscape and visual impacts on the Cairngorms National Park.

It is an area of national importance for its cultural heritage.

The decision comes after a public local inquiry and consultations on the impacts of the project on the park.

Mr Swinney added: “The Scottish Government’s policy on wind farms strikes a careful balance between maximising Scotland’s huge green energy potential and protecting some of our most scenic landscape and wild areas.

“We have been clear that wind farms can only be built in the right places and Scottish Planning Policy sets out rigorous steps to ensure wind farms are sited appropriately and sensitively.

Scotland aims to generate 100% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Last month the UK confirmed it will scrap subsidies for onshore wind projects from April next year.