When local opinion gets blown away
Times & Star, www.timesandstar.co.uk 24 February 2011
How intriguing that the Scottish Government was in Maryport last week consulting about plans for more offshore wind farms.
The consultation team admitted it found nobody in support of more turbines in the Solway Firth.
Maryport fishermen were certainly unequivocal in their opposition; they fear their livelihoods will be destroyed.
So, surely, that should be that; no more turbines in the Solway Firth.
Don’t bet on it.
The Scottish Government has clearly identified the Solway as a potential site for more wind farms.
Was it here simply to say, further down the line: “well, we consulted our English neighbours” before pressing on with its plans?
The precedent was set when the Robin Rigg wind farm transformed the Solway.
We recall little consultation from the Scottish executive then.
So what is going on?
County council leader Eddie Martin is asking similar questions about the Planning Inspectorate’s decisions to overturn local planning refusals against turbines at Tallentire and Westnewton.
It’s undemocratic, claims Coun Martin, voicing the concern of thousands of people who say “enough is enough.”
That’s what makes us so sceptical about the Scottish consultation.
When it comes to wind power, public opinion always seems to get blown away.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/24/when-local-opinion-gets-blown-away/