PLANS for a windfarm at Scotland’s largest nature reserve have been axed
and a raft of others have been legally stalled in a victory for campaigners
and conservationists.
The Court of Session has ruled in favour of the Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds in its challenge against the Scottish Government’s
decisions to permit four schemes in the Forth and Tay Firths.
Lord Stewart has ordered ministers to reconsider their consent after the
RSPB argued consideration was not given to rare wildlife and that the
Government had failed to properly consult interested parties regarding
environmental concerns surrounding the project.
The Government had previously estimated the windfarms could generate up to
£1.2billion for the national economy, create over 13,500 jobs and provide
enough power for 1.4 million homes.
In a separate development, plans for turbines on the hills facing Wigtown
Bay on the Galloway coast have been refused after a decision by Dumfries
and Galloway Council was upheld by ministers.
The Government’s Reporter, who adjudicates on contentious planning matters,
refused an appeal by green energy firm Ecotricity “because of the
significant adverse impacts the proposal would have on the regional scenic
area and the landscape”.
Objections by Historic Scotland to the scheme due to the proximity of
Neolithic standing stones were also a factor in the seven turbine scheme
being rejected.
Campaigners had claimed the turbines would “scar the Galloway Hills and
views from the Machars Coast indefinitely”, interfere with plans for
further breeding eagles to be introduced in area already home to peregrine
falcons, hen harriers, ospreys and red kites.
With Wigtown home to an increasingly popular literary festival and an
inspiration for Robert Burns, J M Barrie and Gavin Maxwell, author of Ring
of Bright Water, there were also claims the plans would “form a heinous
backdrop to Scotland’s National Book Town”.
The Government Reporter, Trevor Croft, said: “I do not consider that the
undoubted renewable energy benefits of the proposal are sufficient to
outweigh the adverse impacts on landscape, visual receptors and the
cultural heritage. I have considered all the other matters raised, but
there are none which would lead me to alter my conclusions.”
Martin Green, of the Save Wigtown Bay campaign, said the decision had
helped safeguard tourist industry jobs.
He added: “Opposed by a small group of objectors, who mobilised over 1200
local people to object to the proposal, Ecotricity should now have learned
that they cannot impose their will in Dumfries and Galloway, anymore than
they can in the Cotswolds. This decision is a triumph for quietist
objection and highly professional analysis by the local council officers.”
Dale Vince. of Ecotricity, said: “In Paris last year, the world agreed to
limit the Earth’s temperature increase to below two degrees, that means we
have to stop burning fossil fuels by 2050. wind energy has a key role to
play in this historic transition, we need to take opportunities like this
one, to build more sources of green energy.”
Following Lord Stewart’s ruling, the RSPB said it was “encouraged by the
decisions of the court” and “took the last resort decision to challenge
Scottish Ministers.. with great reluctance”.
It added: “Unfortunately, consents were granted when thousands of gannets,
puffins, kittiwakes and other seabirds from iconic internationally
protected wildlife sites like the Bass Rock and the Isle of May were
predicted to be killed every year.
“The Government’s statutory nature conservation advisors, Scottish Natural
Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, had also raised
significant concerns about the windfarms.
“In these circumstances, RSPB Scotland could not just stand by and let such
devastating impacts on Scotland’s wildlife happen without making a stand.
Regrettably, legal action was our only option.”
Minister for business, innovation and energy Paul Wheelhouse said:
“Clearly, protecting Scotland’s marine environment is of paramount
importance: it is at the heart of the Scottish government’s approach to
offshore renewable energy applications, and we are keen to work
constructively with both the RSPB and renewable energy developers to ensure
the sector has a bright future in Scotland.”
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