Please see below the answer Oliver Mundell MSP received to the question which he asked at Portfolio Questions in the chamber last Wednesday afternoon, and which is copied from the Official Report.
Wednesday 27th October 2021
Wind Farm Developers
7. Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the net zero secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding reports that wind farm developers are offering payments to local residents in return for signing non-disclosure agreements and not objecting to planning applications. (S6O-00283)
The Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport (Michael Matheson)
I can advise the member that no such discussions have taken place.
Oliver Mundell
Does the cabinet secretary agree that that practice is unacceptable, that it distorts the planning system and that it has the potential to turn local communities against the very green energy projects that we will need in the future? Will he commit to carrying out a review of what is happening in practice with many of those large-scale applications?
Michael Matheson
I recognise the point that the member has raised on behalf of his constituents. However, he will be aware that it is a live planning matter that was subject to a public local inquiry, and the issues that he has raised were aired during the course of the inquiry. The Scottish ministers have not, as yet, received the report from the reporter. I am sure that the member will appreciate that, under the ministerial code, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on a live planning matter when the reporter has not yet published their report. However, I assure the member that the reporter will consider those matters, and I expect to see consideration of that in the report once it is received by the Scottish ministers.
Oliver Mundell MSP
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dumfriesshire
Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
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