April 26, 2012
Scotland

It’s time to think again over turbines

Ryan Crighton. Press and Journal, April 25, 2012

Nearly two-thirds of people in the north and north-east want a review of the Scottish Government’s controversial windfarm policies.

But an independent poll commissioned by the Press and Journal has also revealed that the majority of people – 59% – are in favour of wind energy.

This came on the day American billionaire Donald Trump will travel to the Scottish Parliament to tell MSPs the structures are “destroying Scotland”.

In Aberdeenshire – where there have been more than 800 wind turbine plans put forward in little over a year – planning chairman Peter Argyle has demanded a six-month moratorium amid fears the region is heading for a crisis.

And last night his concerns were backed by the P&J poll – with 62% of people supporting his call for a review of the national strategy.

However, the public are split on whether turbines are spoiling the landscape – with 50% saying yes, 49% saying no and 1% unsure.

And there is also a divide on whether too many have already been built, with 49% saying no, 47% saying yes and 4% undecided.

Mr Trump said last night: “The Scottish Government should listen to its people and protect tourism and the beautiful landscapes the world has come to love by immediately issuing a moratorium on all future turbine developments. Wind power is anything but efficient. If people knew the exorbitant cost of wind energy compared with other sources it would be not even be close.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/26/its-time-to-think-again-over-turbines/