The legal, political and planning battles between billionaire US business
man (and now US president) Donald Trump and Alex Salmond (then Scotland’s
First Minister) perfectly demonstrate the mess that is the Scottish
planning system.
John Campbell, QC, one of the country’s top lawyers who has direct
professional experience of the ‘Trump wind farm’ issues, said:
The ‘Trump v Salmond’ planning application for an offshore Scottish wind
farm degenerated into a clash of personalities and is a perfect microcosm
of what is wrong with the planning system in Scotland.
“The calling-in procedure is a political intervention
in planning and the system is so close to Scottish Ministers it can be
subverted by the Scottish government.
“The entire system is designed to allow the public as little say as
possible and I’ve had complaints from Wick to Stranraer about actual and/or
proposed wind farm sites.
“Some local authority planning departments are helpful, resourceful, and
thoughtful. Others less so and overall, it is
complicated, messy and slow.”
Speaking at the seminal Renewables After Brexit conference held by the
Centre for Energy, Petroleum, and Mineral Law & Policy at Dundee
University, Campbell also had some (more) free advice for Scotland’s
renewables.
He said: “De-carbonisation should be a ‘great national effort’ to safeguard
the environment, re-invest in Scotland’s economy and share the benefits
with communities across the country.
“However, there’s not much evidence that nearby communities are
enthusiastic about wind farms. Local and national politicians have a case
to answer to make wind farms more acceptable to the general population –
even if they are for the greater good.
“So here’s some free advice for Scotland’s renewable energy sector.
“Stop acting like you’re doing everyone else a favour – and share the
benefits properly.
“Do more work on your image and make renewables much more
people-friendly.
“Talk – but more importantly – listen to peoples’ concerns.”
Cambell then brought the two issues (planning and renewables after Brexit)
together by stating that “long-term planning makes good economic sense –
irrespective of Brexit – in a system where decisions are made on what
(power) is needed, where, and who will pay for it.
“There are many risks facing renewables after Brexit – such as access to EU
energy markets, EU funding for energy projects, security of supply,
participation in regulatory bodies and shaping and influencing climate-change targets.
“But there are also positives for renewables after Brexit – which could be
an opportunity for Scotland to shout much louder about co-operation on
climate-change issues.
“We may not yet know what Renewables After Brexit will look like, but we do
know already what the EU wants renewables to look like – as they have made
clear here:
EU Report on the Energy Union (30 Nov 2017)
‘Global changes in energy production and demand have a significant impact
on geopolitics and industrial competitiveness. This poses serious
challenges to Europe, but also creates unique opportunities.
‘In this context, the EU wants to step up its role as a global leader in
the clean energy transition while providing energy security to all its
citizens. Therefore, its ambition to complete and deliver the Energy Union
remains high. The work is by no means finished.
‘Showing ambition on issues such as renewables, energy efficiency, climate
action and clean energy innovation and ensuring the right price signals in
the market, is a precondition to attract investments in modernising the
entire economy.’
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