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Seòmar agus comataidhean

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

I live to the west of Scottish Power Renewables (SPR) and the Scottish Government’s (SG) showcase largest onshore wind farm, Whitelee with its 215 turbines, some of which are closer than the 2km recommended by SG.

Personal experience of wind farm applications

During the construction of the original wind farm in 2006, I suffered a complete loss of my private water supply (PWS) because there had been no notification of mitigation processes, for such a situation, to myself as a local affected resident, I had to resolve the situation myself.

This meant I was without a supply of water to my property for a period of 3 months, while a bore hole was drilled, the water tested, the necessary filtration installed and commissioned. This work was undertaken completely at my own expense, as no grants were available, not even to improve quality of PWS.

During the Whitelee 3 Extension (WL3) enquiries in 2015, I discovered I was not the only property owner to suffer this situation, apart from the 2 additional properties, which shared my PWS.

The actual refusal, in this instance, of the WL3 extension was predominantly because my property was considered by the Reporter to be “too blighted”, with the obvious devaluation of the property. This was combined with the continued destruction of my chosen retirement lifestyle.

The personal opinions and interests of community members, more often than not, are simply ignored by SG, their appointed Reporters and Developers because “it’s Government policy” to reach desired green targets. Rural communities who have SG’s green projects sited next door to them are considered collateral damage with no consideration whatsoever, let alone offered any form of compensation. Access to “community benefit funds” is simply not allowed but suffering the destruction of lifestyle forced upon us, is.

Currently, though not a wind farm, the latest SG push for green energy and climate change, the same location is now subject to an application to site the experimental Hydrogen facility and Solarfarm. The process starts all over again.

The official environmental documentation for this project states that my property is already adversely affected but the application is going ahead anyway. It seems, with reduced need toengage communities, due to the COVID restrictions.

What chance do we, as rural residents, have when continually subjected to the non-stop barrage of stress and applications submitted by the developers and SG’s green policy.

Personal Experience of Enquiries

Having been involved in the public enquiry for WL3 and attending various enquiries for Sneddon Lan and BlackLaw, it is apparent to me that public participants are interrogated by the developer’s legal representatives as though they were criminals. It seems that Reporter’s are unable to stop this kind of abuse. Why do we not have a zero-tolerance approach as in many other walks of life?

The only way to stand a chance in such a hostile environment, is to engage the costly services of an Advocate, which is neither practical or possible given the lengthy legal planning process, never mind the numerous applications.

Members of the rural community do not have the financial resource to continually fight the legal process. Assistance, both legal advice and guidance, is needed by such communities in a way that makes it possible for their views to be heard and considered on the same level as the developers and SG.

I support the Petition

I fully support the petition submitted by Scotland Against Spin (SAS) from a position of personal experience. I am not a legal person; I do not have unlimited funds to deal with a continual barrage of applications. To know that help could be available to improve the chances of our views being acknowledged and given equal consideration, would begin to offer a little reassurance. The knowledge that we would not be treated as “the accused” in any participation of the planning enquiry process.

If we had the same planning legislation as exists in England then at last we would have the comfort of knowing that if a development was consented it would at least comply with the development plan and have the backing of the community.

However, I was disappointed to read the Chief Planner’s response to the petition. It appears to do nothing to suggest any help being offered to beleaguered communities. Other than re-iterate SG policy, it is less than helpful or encouraging, ultimately pointless.


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

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Christopher Shaw submission of 3 June 2021

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Elaine Nisbet submission of 5 June 2021

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Victoria Boyle submission of 3 June 2021

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Iain Milligan submission of 4 June 2021

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Tracey Smith submission of 4 June 2021

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

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

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Jerry Mulders submission of 4 June 2021

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

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William Jackson submission of 5 June 2021

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

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

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J W Ponton submission of 7 June 2021

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George Herraghty submission of 7 June 2021

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

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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

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Sue Hall submission of 8 June 2021

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

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June and Ed Hall submission of 9 June 2021

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

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Alison Johnston submission of 9 June 2021

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

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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

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Howard and Grace Goldstein submission of 9 June 2021

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

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Trevor Procter submission of 9 June 2021

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

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

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Moraig Lyall submission of 9 June 2021

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Angus Farquhar submission of 10 June 2021

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

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Brian Johnstone submission of 10 June 2021

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Elaine Procter submission of 10 June 2021

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

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Hazel Appleton submission of 10 June 2021

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Peter Dunn submission of 10 June 2021

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

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John Edmondson submission of 10 June 2021

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

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Petitioner submission of 11 June 2021

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

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Rosemary Milne submission of 11 June 2021

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

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Elinor Ross submission of 11 June 2021

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

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Alan Cairns submission of 11 June 2021

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Celia Hobbs submission of 11 June 2021

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Rachel Connor submission of 11 June 2021

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

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Brian Bell submission of 11 June 2021

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Ronald and Irene Bain submission of 11 June 2021

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Chris Fawcett submission of 11 June 2021

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Jane Dickson submission of 12 June 2021

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John Chapman submission of 12 June 2021

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Fiona Ainslie submission of 12 June 2021

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

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Alison Chapman submission of 12 June 2021

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

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Rowland Shallcross submission of 12 June 2021

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

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David Scott submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Patricia Brander submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Alison and Paul Garrod submission of 13 June 2021

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

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James Taylor submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Bob Chicken submission of 13 June 2021

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Simon Arnold submission of 13 June 2021

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Norrie McLeod submission of 13 June 2021

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Lorna McClean submission of 13 June 2021

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Lyndsey Ward submission of 13 June 2021

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Dr Guy Vernham submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Elizabeth and Ian Richardson submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Frank Hay submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Mary Young submission of 13 June 2021

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

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

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Kathrin Haltiner submission of 14 June 2021

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Stephen Mardon submission of 14 June 2021

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

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Mrs S McKenzie submission of 14 June 2021

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

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Moscow and Waterside Community Council submission of 14 June 2021

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

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Margaret Addo submission of 14 June 2021

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

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John Scott submission of 14 June 2021

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

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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

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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

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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

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Bruce Hobbs submission of 17 June 2021

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

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Joy Kendall submission of 22 June 2021

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Charmaine Dean and Stewart Baillie submission of 23 June 2021

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