NatureScot, a body funded mainly by the Scottish Government, and responsible for advising Scottish ministers on all matters relating to the natural heritage, have withdrawn their objection to an application for an extension to a wind farm in Sutherland because the area can no longer be classed as wilderness.
This is due to the number of already existing and consented wind farms in the area. It may seem that they have thrown in the towel as defenders of our natural heritage but they are not to blame as some people may think. The blame lies at the feet of decision makers; councillors in this case but, more often than not, with the Scottish ministers who are obsessed with consenting to wind farms in the wrong places due to the lack of “right places” still available.
They ignore NatureScot’s expert opinion, in the same way as they ignore other consultees, including communities. This attitude is extended to their own Reporters who are employed to make decisions on behalf of, or recommendations to, ministers on planning applications. Two wind farms on Orkney were recommended for refusal by two separate Reporters due to “significant adverse effects which would not be outweighed by the benefits which could be directly attributed to them” but still, ministers chose to turn a blind eye and grant consent.
Anyone else with an addiction of this magnitude would be sent for counselling or even convicted of a criminal offence. Enough said.
Aileen Jackson, Uplawmoor, East Renfrewshire
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