March 23, 2012
Scotland

Carsecreugh turbine plans approved by ministers

The Galloway Gazette, www.gallowaygazette.co.uk 23 March 2012

Scottish ministers have approved a wind farm at Carsecreugh Fell, Glenluce a year after local councillors refused the application.

Last April, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Planning Applications Committee rejected the application for the 18-turbine wind farm at Carscreugh Fell near Glenluce on the grounds that it would cause significant damage to the environment, and that the scale of the proposed turbines would detract from the character of the landscape. They also raised concerns about the effect on the historic Carscreugh Castle.

However, the Scottish Government has now overturned this rejection and ruled that the development can go ahead.

But MP Russell Brown has slammed the news, claiming the SNP Government have railroaded the plans through despite mass local objection.

He has written to the First Minister Alex Salmond calling on the SNP Government to listen to local people and uphold the rejection.

He said: “It is the height of arrogance for the SNP in Edinburgh to think they know better than local people and overturn the decision of councillors.

“Even supporters of wind energy are having their patience really tested by the number of wind turbines being erected in Dumfries and Galloway. Locally elected councillors rejected this application. Now the SNP Government continue to force an unfair share of Scotland’s wind turbines on our region and risk permanently scarring our beautiful countryside.

“I have written to the First Minister to call on the Government to uphold the Council’s rejection, because such blatant disregard for the concerns of local people cannot continue.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/23/carsecreugh-turbine-plans-approved-by-ministers/