Magnus Gardham
Political Editor
THE Scottish Conservatives have launched an action plan for rural Scotland
– including a call for local councils to be given an absolute veto over
wind farm plans in their area.
Leader Ruth Davidson and enterprise spokesman Murdo Fraser visited Stirling
Livestock Auction to unveil the blueprint.
The six point plan also included a call for superfast broadband internet
access to be rolled out to remote areas, improved bus links, more
affordable housing and land ownership reforms.
The party also backed calls for a review of Police Scotland’s operations,
following claims the new national force was insensitive to the needs of
rural communities.
Ms Davidson said: “To realise Scotland’s potential, we need policies to
boost the whole country. It’s time we heard the voice of rural Scotland.
“Scotland is one of the most centralised nations in the developed world and
it can seem to many that it is run entirely from within the M8 corridor.
“We want to ensure that power and opportunity is spread right across Scotland.”
Mr Fraser said: “Let’s hand more power back to local councils.
“It should be up to local communities whether they want a new windfarm on
their back door.
“So we support councils getting the right to block new windfarm
applications – and compensation from developers for people whose properties
fall in value as a result.
He added: “Our plan is to hand power and opportunity back to local rural
communities.
“Our plan is to link up rural Scotland, give communities real power, and
back genuine land reform which gets the best use of our nation’s most
precious natural asset.
“It’s time Labour and the SNP sat up and took notice.”
The plan comes as the party prepares to launch their general election
campaign at a one-day conference in Edinburgh on Friday.
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