March 10, 2012
Scotland
Scotland
VisitScotland supports ‘sensitive’ approach to windfarms
www.thecourier.co.uk 10 March 2012
www.thecourier.co.uk 10 March 2012
Scotland’s national tourism organisation, VisitScotland, says it is not against the principle of windfarm development – despite fears from US billionaire Donald Trump that wind turbines will ”destroy landscapes” and will be ”seriously detrimental to Scotland’s fantastic tourism industry”.
The Courier asked VisitScotland to comment after a meeting in St Andrews last Thursday, during which Trump’s legal counsel and executive vice-president George Sorial expressed concern about the impact of windfarms.
Mr Trump, who has voiced opposition to proposals for 11 turbines off the Aberdeenshire coast, near his golf resort, has now turned his attention to saving Scotland from what he calls ”ugly monstrosities”.
He is planning to spend more than £10m campaigning against offshore windfarms and is to give evidence in the Scottish Parliament.
A VisitScotland spokesman told The Courier: ”VisitScotland understands and supports the drive for renewable energy and recognises the potential of Scotland’s vast resource. As a consequence, VisitScotland is not against the principle of wind farm development.
”When consulted as part of the formal planning process, VisitScotland recommends that tourism concerns are taken into account when granting planning permission, and encourages sensitive siting of developments.
”Ultimately, it is for the local planning authority or Scottish ministers to make the final decision.”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/10/visitscotland-supports-sensitive-approach-to-windfarms/