by TOM PETERKIN
MORE than 2,500 wind farm applications have been made to Scotland’s local
authorities over the past 18 months, a survey of councils has revealed.
Figures released under Freedom of Information legislation have disclosed
that council staff have handled 2,508 applications in the past year and a
half – the equivalent of seven a day.
The number of proposed wind farms has come to light amid mounting concern
over First Minister Alex Salmond’s drive for green energy and the
proliferation of turbines across Scotland.
Anti-wind farm campaign group Scotland Against Spin has organised a march
in Perth on Saturday to coincide with the SNP’s annual conference.
Replies to Freedom of Information requests made by the Scottish
Conservatives found that Aberdeenshire had the highest amount of
applications since March last year (428), followed by Highland (376) and
Orkney (371).
Of the 32 local authorities, only South Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire
failed to provide figures.
Conservative energy spokesman Murdo Fraser said: “Alex Salmond has played
to the gallery on this one, but the figures show the rush of wind farm
applications remains intense.
“These applications put council planning departments under immense strain,
and cause great concern to communities worried about the impact a massive
wind farm on their doorstep will have.
“And even if a council does reject an application, there is a good chance
the turbine-hungry Scottish Government will overturn the ruling in pursuit
of its own overly green policies.
“This surge has to stop. The way to do that is ending ludicrous subsidies
for an unreliable and intermittent energy source.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Our policy on wind farm
applications aims to strike an appropriate balance between Scotland’s
massive green energy potential and the need to satisfactorily address the
impacts on communities and the environment.”
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