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Campaign group hits out at plans for 'wall-to-wall onshore wind farms'


By Alan Hendry

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Wind turbines in Caithness. Scotland Against Spin has criticised plans to more than double Scotland’s onshore wind capacity by 2030. Picture: Alan Hendry
Wind turbines in Caithness. Scotland Against Spin has criticised plans to more than double Scotland’s onshore wind capacity by 2030. Picture: Alan Hendry

Plans to dramatically expand Scotland's onshore wind industry in the coming years have been condemned as "another example of suppression of rural voices" in areas such as Caithness and Sutherland.

Graham Lang, chairman of campaign group Scotland Against Spin, accused the Scottish Government of refusing to listen to the concerns of local residents by pushing for "wall-to-wall wind farms".

He was reacting to an announcement that Scotland’s onshore wind capacity will more than double by 2030 in a bid to further cut harmful emissions and support the energy sector’s net-zero process.

The Onshore Wind Policy Statement, published on December 21, confirms Holyrood’s ambitions for 20 gigawatts of onshore wind power to be installed over the next eight years. Currently, around 8.7 GW of onshore wind is operational.

In March 2021, Scotland Against Spin lodged a petition seeking stronger powers for communities to influence planning decisions relating to onshore wind developments.

“The Scottish Government supports wall-to-wall wind farms carpeting the Scottish landscape, resulting in damage to the visual and residential amenity of rural residents in sight and sound of the turbines," Mr Lang said. "This causes adverse health effects for many of these residents.

"It appears the Scottish Government has not listened to the concerns expressed by many respondents to this consultation. It’s a sad day for democracy in Scotland and yet another example of suppression of rural voices, many of which are from the Caithness and Sutherland area which has been particularly heavily targeted in recent years.

"It’s clearly evident that public opinion counts for nothing if it runs counter to the SNP/Green agenda."

Graham Lang, of Scotland Against Spin, argues that onshore wind farms damage the visual and residential amenity of people living in rural areas.
Graham Lang, of Scotland Against Spin, argues that onshore wind farms damage the visual and residential amenity of people living in rural areas.

Mr Lang added: "In England, planning permission for a wind farm depends on a project being able to demonstrate local support, satisfactorily address any impacts identified by the community and make sure strong environmental protections remain so that valued landscapes such as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and the green belt are protected.

"In Scotland, without demonstrable local support, no planning permission should be granted. Community benefit can buy local support and often the community receiving the benefit is miles away and out of sight of the machines.

"Scotland Against Spin supports the English approach which is democratic and sustainable, even with the proposed changes by the UK government which are minimal.

"Success for our current petition to the Scottish Parliament is now of even greater importance."

As part of the Scottish Government's plans, a strategic leadership group will be formed to develop an onshore wind sector deal in 2023 "to maximise supply chain and community benefit opportunities from the sector’s expansion".

Scotland's net-zero and energy secretary Michael Matheson said: “We need bold and urgent action to tackle the climate emergency, and the further expansion of onshore wind will be vital to delivering on our climate targets while ensuring a just transition for Scotland’s energy sector.

“As a proven technology, and one of the most affordable forms of energy, onshore wind will be vital to Scotland's future energy mix, creating and sustaining good green jobs for the sector while improving our energy security and resilience.

“Our Onshore Wind Policy Statement sets out a clear vision for the sector to accelerate during what is a critical decade of action to deliver our energy transition. Our ambition for increased capacity will be included in our new draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, which I am pleased to confirm will be published in early January 2023.”


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