Written by Iain Ramage
Campaigners fighting for a moratorium on new windfarm schemes at Loch Ness
and the Great Glen have accused planning authorities of failing to fully
investigate the damage they could do.
They spoke out after a Holyrood committee snubbed their plea for better
protection for the scenic areas.
Activists fear the area’s vital tourism industry will be wrecked by the
500-plus giant turbines already built or proposed for the area.
They were left dismayed when the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions
committee opted not to recommend any special planning protection for one of
the country’s biggest visitor attractions.
James Treasurer, of the Friends Of The Great Glen pressure group, said it
appeared MSPs on the committee were “happy with windfarm developments in
the Great Glen despite the destruction of areas of outstanding natural beauty”.
SNP member Kenny MacAskill said during a debate on their plea that turbines
were already banned from protected areas and that Highland Council was “on
the case”.
But Mr Treasurer said yesterday: “What we see is that the area – and
communities – are under threat from over 500 wind turbines approved or in
the planning process.
“These figures were questioned (by the politicians). But they are in the
public domain.
“No planning authority at local or national level has, therefore,
demonstrated that adequate protection is being given. So there was failure
to carry out a rigorous inquiry.”
He added: “If Highland Council is, indeed, ‘on the case’ the public and
visitors would now like to hear urgently from the council how it intends to
safeguard the world class landscapes of the Loch Ness area and the Great
Glen and the lifeline visitor economy.”
Councillors have regularly insisted that they consider each windfarm
planning application on its individual merits.
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