Skip to main content

Language: English / Gàidhlig

Loading…

Chamber and committees

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee


Marion Milliner submission of 3 August 2021

PE1864/OOOO - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

I am a resident of Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, and wish to support this petition for the following reasons:

Scotland to adopt the English planning legislation process for the determination of onshore wind farm developments

Wind farms are increasing in turbine height and number, and are being proposed for areas not considered suitable for wind farm developments within the scope of current local development plans. However, developers seem to ignore these limitations. For example a local project Stop Sanquhar II will be representing the views of 6 Community Councils which have objected to Sanquhar II windfarm in an upcoming Public Inquiry.

I believe that the adoption of planning legislation such as that in England where there is strict adherence to local development plans which have previously been the subject of public consultation, would direct developers to suitable sites where there is less likelihood of objection from local planning authorities and communities. The current Scottish legislation process is leading to stress for communities, expense for developers and extended timescales for all parties.

Additionally, our communities have found that we are fighting multiple planning applications at the same time. Increasingly wind farm developers appear to be placing a burden of communication, such as community consultations, public meetings, fielding questions, dealing with specific issues on homes and businesses, on already over-stretched community councils. At the moment we are actively opposing:

  • Sanquhar II windfarm
  • Euchanhead windfarm is currently with the Scottish Government, and;
  • Lorg windfarm will shortly be submitted to the Scottish Government for scoping.

These wind farms together will form one continuous super-wind farm in an area of stunning natural beauty, extensive social and cultural heritage, and enormous biodiversity.

We need adequate and relevant professional help to engage in the planning system.

Our communities (and Community Councils) are currently objecting to Sanquhar II windfarm with little or no experience of the process. Communities and Community Councils do not have the financial resources that wind farm developers have, or the access to the multiplicity of experts required to investigate all the issues raised. Communities’ knowledge of the legal system is minimal/non-existent. The plethora of complex and technical documents that lay-people need to understand in order to fully participate in the process is overwhelming and time consuming.

Issues with rural broadband limitations, particularly during the recent restrictions imposed in the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in us having even greater constraints on getting our message into the public domain, researching the scientific data, policies and developments that would help our objectives.

Euchanhead wind farm was submitted for planning consent to the Scottish Government during the Covid lockdown, making effective communication incredibly difficult. One of its public consultations was held on-line, effectively disenfranchising people with poor/no broadband. This situation should not be allowed to continue.

There is limited time and financial resources to effectively consider and respond to all of these applications. Fund raising is difficult, with no idea of the financial costs of each application, Public Inquiries, and possible appeals. In stark contrast, each wind farm application is supported and resourced by separate developers with their own teams of experts and, seemingly limitless, funding.

Before a single turbine has been built, the Glens of our communities have been cleared of residents and I believe this is a direct consequence of Sanquhar II. I feel that there has been a loss of homes, businesses, and a part of the lifeblood of our community as a result. In my view, further clearances of our rural populations will continue as a direct consequence of wind farms. Private water supply impacts, shadow flicker, noise, loss of visual amenity, destruction of ecosystems, and destruction of residents’ plans and dreams for the future could be avoided if communities were better able to contribute to, and have that contribution valued and considered in, the planning process.

Our communities are facing David and Goliath battles of epic proportions.

We need an independent advocate to ensure local participants are not bullied and intimidated during public inquiries.

A number of people, who would be impacted by wind farms, have been unwilling to come forward because of stories of bullying and intimidation at Public Inquiries. As a result, I believe that the full impacts of wind farms on communities, individuals and/or our environment may not be adequately represented by people who know the area intimately.

Communities and Community Councils understand that the urgent need for alternatives to fossil fuels is unequivocal. However, the current generation of proposed wind turbines cast long shadows over our towns/communities. I believe the time, money and energy taken up by opposing unsuitable developments, could be far better used in developing sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels that would better preserve our communities, our rural populations, our biodiversity and heritage, providing long term sustainable local jobs.


Related correspondences

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Scottish Government submission of 1 June 2021

PE1864/A - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alec Kidd submission of 2 June 2021

PE1864/B - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Christopher Shaw submission of 3 June 2021

PE1864/C - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Helen Braynis submission of 3 June 2021

PE1864/D - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elaine Nisbet submission of 5 June 2021

PE1864/E - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Victoria Boyle submission of 3 June 2021

PE1864/F - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Iain Milligan submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/G - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Logan submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/H - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Janet and Michael Holley submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/I - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Tracey Smith submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/J - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Matthew Reiss submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/K - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Jerry Mulders submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/L - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

William Jackson submission of 5 June 2021

PE1864/M - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Caithness West Community Council submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/N - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

J W Ponton submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/O - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

George Herraghty submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/P - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Ian Miller submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/Q - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Greta Roberts submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/R - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Sue Hall submission of 8 June 2021

PE1864/S - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

June and Ed Hall submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/T - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alison Johnston submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/U - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Andrew Chadderton submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/V - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

James Tanner submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/W - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Amanda Rofe submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/X - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Howard and Grace Goldstein submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/Y - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Trevor Procter submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/Z - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Petitioner submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/AA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Moraig Lyall submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864_BB - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Angus Farquhar submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/CC - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Brian Johnstone submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/DD - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elaine Procter submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/EE - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Hazel Appleton submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864_FF - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Peter Dunn submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864_GG - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Edmondson submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/HH - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Petitioner submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/II - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Rosemary Milne submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/JJ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elinor Ross submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/KK - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alan Cairns submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/LL - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Celia Hobbs submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/MM - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Rachel Connor submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/NN - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Brian Bell submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/OO - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Ronald and Irene Bain submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/PP - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Chris Fawcett submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/QQ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Jane Dickson submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/RR - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Chapman submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/SS - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Fiona Ainslie submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/TT - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alison Chapman submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/UU - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Rowland Shallcross submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/VV - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

David Scott submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/WW - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Patricia Brander submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/XX - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alison and Paul Garrod submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/YY - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

James Taylor submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/ZZ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Bob Chicken submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/AAA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Simon Arnold submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/BBB - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Norrie McLeod submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/CCC - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Lorna McClean submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/DDD - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Lyndsey Ward submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/EEE - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Dr Guy Vernham submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/FFF - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elizabeth and Ian Richardson submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/GGG - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Frank Hay submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/HHH - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Mary Young submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/III - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Chris Walsh submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/JJJ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Kathrin Haltiner submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/KKK - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Stephen Mardon submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/LLL - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Mrs S McKenzie submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/MMM - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Moscow and Waterside Community Council submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/NNN - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Margaret Addo submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/OOO - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Scott submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/PPP - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Jim Pratt submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/QQQ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

H Menhinick on behalf of Dailly Community Council submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/RRR - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Gladys Speirs submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/SSS - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Gilian Macpherson submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/TTT - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Fiona Clubb submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/UUU - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

David Slater submission of 15 June 2021

PE1864/VVV - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Geraldine Hamilton submission of 16 June 2021

PE1864/WWW - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Celia Strain submission of 16 June 2021

PE1864/XXX - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alistair Buckoke submission of 17 June 2021

PE1864/YYY - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Bruce Hobbs submission of 17 June 2021

PE1864/ZZZ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Joy Kendall submission of 22 June 2021

PE1864/AAAA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Charmaine Dean and Stewart Baillie submission of 23 June 2021

PE1864/BBBB - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Tim Harrison submission of 23 June 2021

PE1864/CCCC - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Marion Lang submission of 27 June 2021

PE1864/DDDD - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Nigel A R Willis submission of 28 June 2021

PE1864/EEEE - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Keith and Margaret Mycock submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/FFFF - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Sandra Cunliffe submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/GGGG - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Roger Hissett submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/HHHH - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Brian Wade submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/IIII - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Graham Lang submission of 27 July 2021

PE1864/JJJJ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Mr and Mrs Spratling submission of 28 July 2021

PE1864/KKKK - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Peter A Kew submission of 28 July 2021

PE1864/LLLL - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Ian Dippie submission of 28 July 2021

PE1864/MMMM - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Kim Terry submission of 3 August 2021

PE1864/NNNN - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms