Chamber and committees

Howard and Grace Goldstein submission of 9 June 2021

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

We are writing in support of this petition.

It is understood that increases in the use of so-called renewable energy may help to reduce the impact of electricity generation on climate change. It is also acknowledged that wind turbines are able to generate a significant amount of that energy.

There are many areas which have had large developments of wind turbines and this has reportedly helped in the aim of carbon neutrality by 2045.

However, it has become increasingly the case that the density and spread of such developments has had adversely impacted many areas particularly in the south of Scotland.

The current legislation presumes that only ministers are able to decide on applications for large wind farm developments. This fails to take into account the views of both local authorities and the residents that they and the ministers serve.

These developments have a potentially devastating impact on natural environment, wildlife, agriculture and local amenity including the ability to enjoy open spaces in a way which has great beneficial effects on both physical and mental health of local residents and visitors. In addition, they can seriously affect national security issues such as military aircraft movements and radar effectiveness.

We believe that the law should reflect the need for local communities to have a voice in decisions on these types of planning application and that local authorities should be required to provide access to advocacy or other legal representation - at no cost - to local residents who wish to put forward well considered objections to such applications.