Proposals to limit the building of windfarms in certain parts of the country have been cautiously welcomed by the Scottish Conservatives, months after the party launched similar recommendations.
However, while some of the ideas set out in the Scottish Conservatives’ Power With Responsibility energy policy review have been accepted by the SNP, concerns remain around today’s Scottish Government announcement.
Although around one-fifth of the countryside may be protected by the proposed guidelines, there is no commitment from the SNP to reduce the overall number of turbines.
This means remaining parts of the country could be under even more pressure to allow the building of more windfarms.
There are also concerns that today’s plans would only act as recommendations for councils, who are under increasing pressure from the Scottish Government to give permission to as many windfarm applications as possible.
In addition, plans were also set out for taller turbines to be constructed.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“While we are pleased to see some areas set aside for protection, there is absolutely no suggestion the SNP will cool its overall enthusiasm for wind energy.
“That will result in even more pressure for the remaining 80 per cent of the country which won’t be spared through these guidelines.
“This announcement is in effect an admission by the SNP Scottish Government that areas of scenic beauty are not compatible with windfarms.
“Unfortunately, this concession comes too late for many communities, and is utterly insincere for those who won’t be protected by this.
“The Scottish Conservatives called for a full scale energy policy review in January, and set out a number of suggestions which have the backing of people across Scotland.
“The Scottish Government may have taken some of these on today, but it doesn’t go far enough.
“Councils are already reluctant to invite more windfarm applications in the face of the SNP’s obsession with covering Scotland’s countryside with turbines.”