Government bows to public pressure over Fallago Rig inquiry
Once again public pressure has forced the Scottish Government to back down over Fallago Rig and after announcing that they would re-open the public inquiry to hear new Ministry of Defence evidence only, they have now extended the public inquiry to hear all new evidence.
It is now almost two years since the public inquiry opened but the outcome has never been made public and behind the scenes discussions have gone on between Scottish ministers, the MoD and developers North British Wind Power.
In the summer it was announced that the MoD had withdrawn their objections and those opposed to the 48 wind turbine development demanded that the public inquiry be re-opened. Last month the Scottish Government conceded to this request but restricted it to the MoD evidence only, a move opposed by local people fighting the development, plus the local community council and Scottish Borders Council.
In another climb down the Scottish Government announced this week that they will ask the Reporter who will re-open the inquiry, to “consider all matters which have arisen since the close of the original inquiry” including the cumulative impact of nearby windfarms that have received the go-ahead in the interim.
South of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume welcomed the news that the Scottish Government reporter assigned to consider the Fallago Rig wind farm proposal will now look at all new evidence since the original inquiry.
Mr Hume said: “I have been calling for the inquiry to be reopened because the time lapse since the start of the original inquiry means that local circumstances have changed and as such, those new circumstances must be taken into account when considering such a large development.
“I therefore hope that this will go some way towards restoring public faith in the planning process.
“This is, however, a reminder that the Scottish Government needs to realise that it cannot ride roughshod over the opinions of local people and local authorities.”
Mid Berwickshire councillor, Frances Renton, added: “Given that it has been reported that the MoD have withdrawn their objection and local circumstances have changed, it would only seem right and proper the inquiry be reopened in full, given the time lapse since the original.
It would certainly go a long way to give confidence back to the local community that this SNP government is prepared to listen to them.”
Speaking on behalf of Cranshaws Ellemford and Longformacus Community Council, chairman David Lochhead said: “The community council welcomes the decision of the Government to extend the remit of a reopened inquiry. However, this change has been reluctant and prompted by the questioning of previously restricted remit and the threat of legal action.
“To ensure a fair, open and transparent inquiry the report of the initial inquiry proceedings must be released.
“This is needed to provide a benchmark to assess the new information and will ensure that the goalposts are not moved to suit a predetermined outcome.
“In committing expenditure and starting the work on the wind farm in breach of planning law the Roxburghe Estates obviously assume a level of government protection and support that will produce an outcome in their favour. In such circumstances full disclosure of all relevant material is essential. This has not been the case to date. We trust it will be from now on.”
Two weeks ago we reported that preliminary works had started, including the excavation of hundreds of tonnes of stone and the construction of stone platforms at various points along the Dye Water, believed to be needed to support the bridges that would support the delivery of the 48 huge turbines. New fords are also said to have been driven through the Dye.
After investigating complaints of unauthorised development along the Dye valley, Scottish Borders Council’s assistant enforcement officer, Peter Green reported: “As a result of two site investigations and a meeting with both Roxburghe Estates and North British Wind Power, Scottish Borders Council has concluded that there are several locations that have been identified as unauthorised development.
“Scottish Borders Council has required that all works in relation to these sites are stopped and no further unauthorised works carried out.
“Scottish Borders Council awaits formal agreement and acceptance of this requirement from the land owners and wind farm developers.”
SEPA was also investigating the developments in the Dye valley and a senior member of staff met Cranshaws, Longformacus and Ellemford Community Council’s chairman, Mr Lochhead, on site last week.
David Lochhead concluded: “It does seem exceptional that public pressure from a small rural community can push the Scottish Government to make such a dramatic about-turn on the Public Inquiry!
“The community council looks forward to making a robust case at the second Fallago Rig Inquiry and clearly hopes to demonstrate that with over 200 turbines already consented for the Lammermuirs the cumulative impact of any more would be catastrophically damaging for this exceptional Area of Great Landscape Value.”
By Janice Gillie
The Berwickshire News
18 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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