17 Feb 2025
Labour’s plans to turn Scotland into a clean energy superpower could trigger a ‘tsunami’ of wind farms being built despite community concerns.
That’s the message that came across in this weekend’s Mail on Sunday, in an article written by Mary Wright.
The UK Government wants to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030. The Government is currently running a consultation to reform the consenting process and remove some of the red tape for developers. The Government says it’s about efficiency, however critics argue that it will mean community voices will be ignored in favour of net zero targets.
Scottish Conservative energy and net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: “Labour and the SNP are totally disconnected from those living in rural areas who worry these planning reforms would result in governments riding roughshod over their views.”
Currently it is it is up to councils to approve wind farms through the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).
Scotland Against Spin spokesman Aileen Jackson said: “NPF4 already means developments being waved through the planning process and further neutering Scotland’s planning system will be catastrophic for rural communities.”
The Strath Oykel Forest wind farm – a development which went to a public inquiry where the Government Reporter recommended refusal, however the Government still approved it – is a worrying example of what’s happening.
The Scottish Government said: “The proposed reforms are about making the determination process more efficient – not making it easier for projects to get consent.”
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “We are working with the Scottish Government to improve the consent process for electricity infrastructure projects in Scotland.”