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Windfarm applications surge
Credit: Paisley Daily Express | Oct 13 2013 | www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk ~~
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Local authorities have received over 2,500 windfarm applications in the last 18 months, council figures show.
Research by the Conservative Party reveals that Aberdeenshire had the highest amount of applications since March last year (428), followed by Highland (376) and Orkney (371).
Council staff handling the 2,508 bids will have processed an average of almost seven applications every working day in the last year and half, according to the Conservatives.
Conservative energy spokesman Murdo Fraser said: “Alex Salmond has played to the gallery on this one, but the figures show the rush of windfarm applications remains intense.
“These applications put council planning departments under immense strain, and cause great concern to communities worried about the impact a massive windfarm on their doorstep will have.
“And even if a council does reject an application, there is a good chance the turbine-hungry Scottish Government will overturn the ruling in pursuit of its own overly green policies.
“This surge has to stop, and the way to do that is ending ludicrous subsidies for an unreliable and intermittent energy source, and stop inviting companies to develop in areas which are clearly unsuitable.
“We appreciate that windfarms have a place, but the fact there are seven windfarm applications a day in Scotland proves this is a gravy train threatening to career out of control.”
Two councils, South Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire, did not provide figures.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We recognise that some planning authorities face pressure from the volume of wind turbine applications they receive, and have identified additional funds to assist them.
“Seventeen bids were received for additional funds and earlier this year £725,000 was made available to support all of those bids.
“Our policy on wind farm applications aims to strike an appropriate balance between Scotland’s massive green energy potential and the need to satisfactorily address the impacts on communities and the environment.”
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