November 16, 2012
Scotland

‘Windfarms threaten to blot out film boom’

By Cameron Brooks | The Press and Journal | 16 November 2012 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

The Scottish Government’s obsession with windfarms could put the country’s flourishing film industry at risk, an MSP has warned.

Former Conservative leader Annabel Goldie claimed approving developments in areas of outstanding natural beauty – such as the Highlands – would make location scouts think twice about using them for film scenes.

And she urged the Scottish Government to consider launching an inquiry with production companies into whether turbines affect filming decisions. The Highlands and islands have featured heavily in a string of major films recently, such as the James Bond movie Skyfall, which was partly filmed in Glencoe, as was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Last week Conservative chief whip John Lamont urged the government to stop its “costly obsession” with wind power after it emerged ministers have approved 29 of 35 major developments since taking power in 2007.

Critics said the statistics were “alarming” and illustrated the government’s fixation with wind power despite widespread concerns about the impact of turbines on the landscape and nearby communities.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Scotland is becoming an increasingly sought-after film location on account of our magnificent landscapes, historic homes and good film crews.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/11/16/windfarms-threaten-to-blot-out-film-boom/