March 25, 2014
Scotland

Dumfries and Galloway councils seek wind farm moratorium

Wind farm moratorium bid by councils | BBC News | 25 March 2014 | www.bbc.co.uk

Fifty community councils from across Dumfries and Galloway have called for a moratorium on planning consent for wind farms in the region.

They have written to the Scottish government and their local council.

Willie Dickson, of Corsock and Kirkpatrick-Durham Community Council, said “impartial, accurate information on the pros and cons” was needed.

The community councils say hundreds of wind farms are operational or planned across southern Scotland.

They said they could cumulatively have a “profound impact on the landscape and wildlife”.

They claim a map produced by Scottish Natural Heritage shows southern Scotland has more onshore wind farm developments proposed than any other part of the country.

The community councils said that followed recent studies highlighting the impact of wind farms on property prices and tourism.

Mr Dickson said: “Our community council felt overwhelmed by the number of wind farm proposals being planned for our area.

“When we consulted other community councils across Dumfries and Galloway, it became clear that many others felt the same.

“We need impartial, accurate information on the pros and cons of the proposed wind farm developments.

“And we need sufficient time and resources to consult the communities we serve and represent.”

He said the developments being proposed could have a major impact for the next 25 years.

“These need to be properly and democratically considered,” he said.

The letter, signed by the 50 community councils, asks both the Scottish government and Dumfries and Galloway Council for a moratorium on wind farm applications until the cumulative effects can be properly assessed.

The community councils said they felt it was the only “reasonable and democratic” way forward.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/03/25/dumfries-and-galloway-councils-seek-wind-farm-moratorium/