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Scottish Government ‘wind obsessed’
Credit: Dec 30 2012 | www.ayrshirepost.net ~~
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The Scottish Government has been labelled “wind obsessed” by the Conservatives after figures suggested a third of wind applications rejected by councils this year were later given the go-ahead by ministers.
The party said its research showed the Government overruled local authorities over windfarm and wind turbine applications on 20 occasions since January. The move came despite “significant concern from communities” about the impact of turbines and fears about the effect they are having on the landscape, the Tories said.
Conservatives said their research revealed that, since the start of the year, 63 appeals were made to the SNP administration at Holyrood after councils rejected the initial submissions. Of that figure, 43 appeals were rejected and 20 were allowed.
Those projects given the green light covered areas across Scotland, from the Western Isles to Dumfries and Galloway.
Tory leader Ruth Davidson MSP said ministers should respect the decisions made by councils. “When local authorities turn down applications for windfarms or wind turbines, it is for good reason,” she said. “Either planning officials will have concerns over their visual effect or communities fear the impact on their doorstep.
“Often it is a combination of both, but on a third of occasions this year that hasn’t stopped the Scottish Government pushing them through anyway.
“The SNP’s obsession with wind power cannot be allowed to damage hillsides and ridges across Scotland. We have always said appropriately sited windfarms can play a role in a mixed energy source environment.
“Instead, Alex Salmond is pouring all his eggs into the wind energy basket – a source that has been found to be unreliable and intermittent, not to mention hugely unpopular with the general public.
“Councils are best placed to know what is best for their areas, and it’s time the Scottish Government started respecting their positions and decisions.”
Last month the Tories called into question the level of scrutiny given to wind farm developments after it emerged that ministers approved 83% of all major applications submitted since 2007.
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