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Landscape is not the only environmental consideration
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The appeal to the Scottish Government by eminent leaders of a number of Scottish environmental groups (Few realise many wind farms approved but not yet appeared, February 12) for a “world-class energy policy that has due regard for a world-class landscape throughout Scotland” is timely and welcome.
By focusing on “landscape”, however, the impression is given that it’s largely the visual impact of industrial-size turbines that requires a “new approach” when, in fact, the whole environment is put at risk by ill-planned industrial wind-turbine development.
The watershed of the River Findhorn is an example. In this pristine area of moorland peat on the northern edge of the Cairngorm National Park, there are now proposals to develop six wind farms with a total turbine count likely to exceed that of the Isle of Lewis – 181 turbines.
No-one has yet calculated the total mileage of access roads and pylons and sub-stations. Not a single water-course will be unaffected by these developments: the river, already subject to rapid and frequent spate conditions, is being put at risk of implosion along with its fragile salmon population by developers and co-operating landowners without heed to the long-term consequences of their actions.
For the Scottish Government’s consultation on proposals for a Climate Change Bill to meet the real needs of Scotland’s environment and the people, it’s the depth of the environment that requires protection, not only its “world-class landscape”.
James Stuart, Moray.
20 February 2008
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