YOUR correspondent David Bridge (Letters, April 21) is unhappy that an
11-turbine wind farm at Freasdail has been consented.
As an objector, he is entitled to be. I take issue, however, with his
parting comment that “we shall remember that the SNP were the culprits”.
It is simply wrong to assert that the SNP alone are pushing the drive for
renewable energy. Other political parties have set similarly ambitious
targets. The 2011 election manifestos stated that Labour policy is to
generate the equivalent of 80% of Scotland’s electricity from renewables
by 2020, Liberal Democrat policy is to generate 100% by 2025, and SNP
policy is to generate 100% by 2020. Dates and targets may vary slightly,
but it is undeniable that a broad consensus exists in Scotland supporting
the delivery of renewable schemes, including wind.
The Freasdail proposal was determined by an independent reporter, not by
SNP ministers. The decision letter states: “The Scottish Government does
not provide unqualified support for renewable energy projects. Scottish
planning policy requires planning authorities to support the development
of wind farms in locations where the technology can operate efficiently
and environmental and cumulative impacts can be satisfactorily addressed.”
Having assessed the proposal in respect of each of these considerations,
the reporter took the view that it could be supported.
David Williamson,
3 Rosebery Place,
Dunbar.
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