March 3, 2012
Scotland

Windfarm protesters in ‘wake’ move

icscotland.icnetwork.co.uk 3 March 2012

Windfarm protesters have held a symbolic “wake” to highlight their concerns about a proposed development of 33 turbines in the Highlands.

About 50 people took part in a march led by “pall-bearers” carrying a black coffin to the door of the Liberal Democrat conference in Inverness.

They had hoped to secure talks with Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey, who had just finished a speech to delegates inside the Eden Court theatre.

But protest leader Pat Wells, from Tomatin, said he refused the invitation.

Outside the venue, she told campaigners: “Our message is directed to all the political parties who support the current wind industry gravy train and in particular today to the Lib Dems and especially the Secretary of State for Energy Ed Davey MP who has refused to meet with us and discuss our concerns because he is too busy meeting representatives of the renewables industry.”

The Stop Highland Windfarms Campaign group opposes the 33-turbine Dunmaglass development in the Monadhliath mountains.

Ms Wells said: “Electricity generation from wind is not free and not green.

“It is inefficient, very costly and makes no significant difference to our carbon emissions and may even increase them.

“We are tired of windfarm developers’ spin and the lack of democracy and transparency in the planning process which makes it almost impossible for ordinary people to have their voices heard and their views taken into account.”

She criticised an “SNP dictatorship” at Holyrood, highlighting her opposition to the recently approved Moy windfarm.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/03/windfarm-protesters-in-wake-move/