The UK government energy security strategy published today is good news for rural communities south of the border who will still have the choice of whether or not to support a giant onshore wind farm on their doorstep along with its benefits and adverse impacts .  Communities in England are reassured that a proposed development will only succeed if it is in an area identified as suitable in a local plan and the planning and environmental  impacts identified by the local community have been satisfactorily addressed and there is still community support.  Scottish communities have no such comfort.  Despite  local opposition to acknowledged significant environmental impacts, wind farms continue to be forced upon rural communities in Scotland against their will; particularly surprising when the Scottish Government recently auctioned 25GW of sea area for offshore wind.

Scottish communities and local authorities are continually overruled by Scottish Ministers and even though the Government recognises that Scotland can produce all of its own  energy needs from renewables, commercial developers know they  can continue to permanently exploit and  destroy our precious landscapes  for profit,  in the knowledge that this is supported by our Scottish Government.

The Scotland Against Spin public petition to the Scottish Parliament is currently going through the consultation process.  It calls for parity with English planning legislation for the determination of onshore wind farm developments, amongst other things. This is only fair and reasonable. The UK Government listens to their rural communities, it’s time the Scottish Government did the same.  https://www.parliament.scot/get-involved/petitions/view-petitions/pe1864-increase-the-ability-of-communities-to-influence-planning-decisions-for-onshore-windfarms

Douglas Ross MSP says:

“I think the position in England is one that the SNP Government would do well to follow here.

“The Scottish Conservatives are in favour of a mix of energy sources but on-shore windfarm developments should only happen when they have the consent of local communities.

“Too often the SNP ride roughshod over public opinion and give the green light to these being installed despite the opposition of local authorities.”


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