Call to end ‘windfarm obsession’ – The Courier

By Richard Watt

Councils across Scotland are now dealing with seven windfarm applications a
day.

Local authorities in Courier Country are among those labouring under a huge
number of applications.

Fife and Aberdeenshire authorities have received the largest number of
applications, 196 and 428, respectively.

The Scottish Conservatives have called on the Scottish Government to honour
what they see as pledges to end a “windfarm obsession” and ensure areas of
the country are protected from turbine development.

North East MSP Nanette Milne said: “Alex Salmond has played to the gallery
on this one, but the figures show the rush of windfarm applications remains
intense.

“These applications put council planning departments under immense strain,
and cause great concern to communities worried about the impact a massive
windfarm 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, and the way to do that is ending ludicrous
subsidies for an unreliable and intermittent energy source, and stop
inviting companies to develop in areas which are clearly unsuitable.

“We appreciate that windfarms have a place, but the fact there are seven
windfarm applications a day in Scotland proves this is a gravy train
threatening to career out of control.”

Alex Salmond is due to visit Perth next weekend, and campaigners plan to
join a protest against windfarms while he is there.

Campaigners from across Scotland are poised to besiege the SNP conference
to call for a rethink of the windfarm policy, with a large representation
expected from an area last night described as the “last bastion” in the
fight against major developments.

Angus Communities Windfarm Action Group will marshall the local response to
the effort, which has seen campaign group Scotland Against Spin apply for
permission to march through Perth on October 19 before gathering for a
protest outside Perth Concert Hall.