SNP Approves Most Large Wind Farms Despite Many Objections
Ministers from the Scottish National Party have approved the vast majority of the largest wind farm applications despite receiving nearly 10,000 objections from communities across Scotland.
Fergus Ewing, the Energy Minister, published figures showing ministers have received 9,868 protests over the past five years about wind developments that produce more than 50 megawatts.
Although there were barely 4,000 messages of support, the SNP administration has approved more than four out of five applications on which it has so far ruled.
The Scottish Conservatives, who uncovered the figures, said they should leave ministers in no doubt about the strength of community opposition to the spread of turbines across the countryside. They were published as it emerged 40 representatives from every part of the Scottish Borders have joined forces for the first time in an attempt to stop “turbine creep”.
“The SNP’s wind energy obsession has to be curbed, otherwise every vista in Scotland will be at-risk from an invasion of great, white turbines,” the Tory MSP said.
Although none of last year’s nine applications for large wind farms have been ruled on yet, the Scottish Government received 2,679 letters of objections compared to only 60 backing the plans.
A new network has been set up between anti-wind farm campaigners across the region to foster greater communication and co-operation and ensure residents are aware of the spread of turbines.
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