Oppression
It was no surprise to read that NatureScot’s budget has been slashed yet again by the Scottish Government (Herald 14 October). We have witnessed the decline in their ability to scrutinise and respond to wind farm applications for over a decade due to their lack of resources. This of course suits the Scottish Government and developers down to the ground as there is less opposition to their plans – unbelievable profits for developers and mega millions in rent for the Government when planning permission is granted for development on public land. This is a gross conflict of interest as it is the Scottish Ministers who give consent to large scale wind farms and they are therefore effectively lining their own pockets.
RSPB, a charity and another consultee to wind farm developments are in a similar situation as their lack of resources also leaves them gagged and only able to focus on “priority sites or species.”
The Scottish Government know local authorities are overwhelmed with planning applications and can’t cope and they are also well aware that local communities do not have the manpower or expertise required to scrutinise large technical documents or the ability to raise sufficient funds in order to employ professional help when faced with numerous applications simultaneously or consecutively. They are doing a grand job of silencing any opposition to their plans to destroy our rural communities, iconic landscapes and wildlife. Is there not a word for that?
Aileen Jackson
Knockglass
Uplawmoor
0 Comments