Thurso Calls for Tighter Planning Controls
July 1, 2004 12:00 AM
Local MP John Thurso has called on First Minister, Jack McConnell, MSP, to provide tighter planning guidance to local authorities on the siting of wind turbines in their areas. His move follows a spate of planning applications to develop windfarms across the Far North and what the MP describes as "mounting concerns within the wider Highland community about the intensity of development".
John Thurso said:
"I believe there is considerable opportunity in the North for renewable energy from a variety of sources. The tidal race in the Pentland Firth offers immense possibilities for offshore generation as does the developing technology of wave power in the Moray Firth. I remain of the view that there is room for windpower but from an early stage I have been very aware that there is a danger of the accumulating effect delivering the unintended consequence of spoiling our greatest asset - our natural environment and landscape.
I have warned of the dangers in correspondence with both the Scottish Executive and local authority over a protracted period,and I believe we are now fast approaching the point of potential over saturation. I have for some time advocated the desirability of zoning whereby the planning authority would designate the most effective positions for windfarm sites taking into account not only the efficient use of the windfarm but also the impact which the development has both on the environment and the local community. However, the Highland Council has made clear to me on a number of occasions that it cannot itself impose a tighter control on potential development in the absence of further Scottish Executive guidance.
There is now urgency in the need for this further guidance, and I call on the First Minister to provide it".
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