I was astounded to read last week’s article in The Barrhead News
regarding Neilston Community Windfarm, which is located in Uplawmoor.
Alan Walker is quoted as saying ‘Rather than the money from the windfarm
just going to the developer and large companies, it is going to the
community’. Which one exactly? Not Uplawmoor, which is most affected by
the development.
Uplawmoor residents, who deluged East Renfrewshire Council, Planning
Department with objections to the windfarm, for which they had received no
notification by either the developers or ERC, sought some form of financial
benefit for the community once operation started, as compensation for the
much worse than predicted impact of the development.
They were informed by Jackson Carlaw MSP and a senior Scottish Government
Official, who both negotiated for funds on their behalf, that ‘the
partnership agreement between the developers was drafted with the specific
intention that this would displace any community benefit which might
otherwise have been offered locally, and that therefore there is no scope
to consider additional benefits for Uplawmoor . This has clearly been a
very difficult and sensitive process with lessons to be learned for all of
us – in terms of engagement, dialogue and transparency. We will certainly
reflect on those from our perspective’.
In April this year the Scottish Government, Good Practice Principles for
Community Benefit for Onshore Renewable Energy Developments was published.
The Chair of Local Energy Scotland, who took part in the informal
stakeholder group and informed the development of the document, contacted
Uplawmoor residents by email to explain it was ‘intended to help safeguard
communities against experiences such as yours’.
Far from being a shining example, the Neilston Community Windfarm must be
an embarrassment to a government which is aiming to promote community owned
and operated renewables.
Aileen Jackson
Knockglass
Uplawmoor
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