Dean Herbert
The SNP’s obsession with wind farms is driving climbers off of Scotland’s
mountains, it was claimed yesterday.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland says many of its 11,800 members are
travelling to the Lake District or abroad to escape the sight of wind
turbines and the noise they make.
The MCoS director for landscape and access, Dave Gordon, says his
organisation is to survey its members to assess the damage wind farms have
done to the enjoyment of the hills.
He said: “Although few wind farms have yet been built in core mountain
areas, only around half of those with planning permission have been built.
“And there are a significant number of current planning applications for
large wind farms in wild mountainous landscapes. There is almost no
up-to-date evidence on the effect that the spread of wind farms is having
on the recreational use of Scotland’s hills.”
The Scottish Government and developers have repeatedly insisted turbines
have no effect on tourism.
But Mr Gordon added: “Anecdotally, MCoS hears differently.
We hear that people are beginning to avoid certain areas, are visiting less
frequently and are going to Cumbria or abroad more often.”
Last year, First Minister Alex Salmond caused controversy by claiming the
growing number of wind turbines “enhance” the country.
Tory energy spokesman Murdo Fraser said the MCoS revelation was evidence of
a “disgraceful knock-on effect of the SNP’s determination to cover rural
Scotland in turbines”.
He added: “I look forward to seeing the outcome of this survey, because the
Scottish Government is always quick to point to a lack of evidence when it
comes to the impact wind farms have on tourism.”
The SNP has approved almost 60 renewable projects since 2007, while fewer
than 10 have been rejected.
5 Comments