June 20, 2014
Scotland

Councillor calls for end to wind farm approval

by Gregor Hollerin | The Extra | 20 June 2014 | www.glasgowsouthandeastwoodextra.co.uk

East Renfrewshire has the most wind turbines per square mile in Scotland, according to a recent study.

The report by Energised Environments Ltd also says the council has the highest approval rate for large and medium scale wind farms.

Council leader Jim Fletcher has defended ERC’s support of wind farms.

“The figures in the report will include Whitelee, which is the largest on shore wind farm in Europe. As such it is unsurprising that the figures for ERC appear high,” he said.

“ERC has assessed and will continue to assess all wind turbine applications within the National Planning Framework and with regard to both our approved Strategic and Local Development Plans.”

However, Newton Mearns south councillor Jim Swift believes enough is enough.

He commented: “East Renfrewshire has had more than its fair share of large wind farms.

“There are those that like wind farms and those that hate them, but no one will deny the costs they add to our fuel bills and will keep adding to them.

“Should Scotland seek independence the cost will fall on our shoulders, as we have most of the UK’s wind farms.”

Aileen Jackson, an anti-wind farm campaigner from Uplawmoor, believes East Ren’s landscape is saturated.

She told The Extra: “The council’s priority appears to be developing the urban environment rather than sustaining the rural environment.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/20/councillor-calls-for-end-to-wind-farm-approval/