LABOUR’S hopes of turning Scotland into a clean energy superpower could trigger a ‘tsunami’ of wind farms being erected against the wishes of communities, campaigners have warned.
The UK Government wants to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030. Ministers hope that by cutting red tape for developers they can speed up the building of more wind farms.
Last night Scotland Against Spin (SAS) said this could result in the views of communities affected by the structures being ignored.
Scottish Conservative energy and net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: ‘Labour and the SNP are totally disconnected from those living in rural areas who worry these planning reforms would result in governments riding roughshod over their views.’
It is up to councils to approve wind farms through the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). But Labour is consulting on plans to reform consent processes. SAS spokesman Aileen Jackson said: ‘NPF4 already means developments being waved through the planning process and further neutering Scotland’s planning system will be catastrophic for rural communities.’
She said the recent go-ahead for the Strath Oykel Forest wind farm in Sutherland was a ‘clear signal of the chaos’ ahead. The Scottish Government said: ‘The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient – not making it easier for projects to get consent.’
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: ‘We are working with the Scottish Government to improve the consent process for electricity infrastructure projects in Scotland.’
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