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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee


Hugh Ligat submission of 10 August 2021

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

I believe that Scottish rural communities and residential windfarm neighbours need a veto on windfarm proposals to bring Scotland into line with England, where windfarm developers need support, or lack of objection from local communities to gain consent.

The veto of English communities encourages developers to engage constructively with that community rather than what I often see as a tick box consultation and notification exercise which occurs all too frequently in Scotland. In Scotland, developers are actively suppressing objections from local communities.

The situation is now becoming critical for many beleaguered Scottish communities with applications for some of the largest on shore turbines in the world, over 200m high, now routinely being proposed and built. Windfarms may cause serious adverse environmental effects with loss of amenity, noise, overwhelming visual impact, detriment to essential water supplies and property devaluation. The impacts will overwhelm nearer residents and adversely affect properties over a much greater distance.

The Scottish Government’s (SG) chief planners’ response to this petition indicates that the SG will support its net zero carbon emissions goal with deemed permission for repowering and expansion of existing windfarms, regardless of the impacts on rural communities; this is as much an emergency for Scotland’s rural residents as it is for the climate.

I live adjacent to Afton windfarm in East Ayrshire, where industrial sized turbines are sited on public water catchment area. Although Scottish Water have now changed their policy of industrialising public water catchments after adverse impacts and closure of two public reservoirs within Whitelee windfarm, following the siting of 66 turbines on public water catchment there.

Industrial turbines contain hundreds of litres of oil, requiring regular oil changes – an obvious hazard to the water environment, in addition to the recognised wear of turbine blades which shed tons of toxic microplastics and resins into the hydrological environment over the lifetime of the windfarm. These impacts, together with silt run off will affect the designated salmon spawning grounds in the Afton valley.

I believe that the Environmental Reports (ERs) submitted by developers in support of their applications consistently understate the risks to the environment and ecology. I have seen no retrospective audit of the accuracy of these ERs which underpin the award of consent.

An application for yet another adjacent windfarm, Sanquhar ll, is at the appeal stage, despite many adjacent operational and consented windfarms, including the operational Sanquhar, Whiteside Hill, Afton 5 and Hare Hill Extension windfarms. The Southern Upland Way, one of Scotland’s nationally promoted Great Trails will be transacted by the main windfarm access road, with long term impacts for tourism. Objections from four local community councils are ignored by the developer.

The developer, has bought out four severely affected properties, with owners having to sign non disclosure agreements which I believe to be an attempt to suppress public opposition. The properties will be left empty. This feels like a lowland clearances of people for turbines.

I and other local people have also been approached by a company with an offer of £3000 annually if we agree not to object to this windfarm, to ‘co operate’ with and provide assistance to the company or its successors, not to make any complaint whatsoever against the company for the lifetime of the consent, to notify the company of any intended property sale and that this agreement will be binding on any future purchaser of my property.

It is my view that this is essentially a violation of Human Rights to free speech and a suppression of democracy in 21st Century Scotland to facilitate the award of consent for commercial gain.

Developers and the Scottish Government (SG) point to the financial and other benefits for communities that host windfarms. The SG recommends that developers pay Community benefit (CB) of £5000 per MW installed, but there is no obligation and many developers pay only half this. CB is not a material planning consideration and can be withdrawn by the developer, especially if the windfarm is sold on. CB does not compensate those properties suffering the worst of the adverse effects; there is no compensation for loss of water or property devaluation.

Rural communities must not be sacrificed on the altar of net zero. We need to have our concerns addressed and to veto those developments predicted to affect our basic human rights.


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

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

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Helen Braynis submission of 3 June 2021

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

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Elaine Nisbet submission of 5 June 2021

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

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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

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John Logan submission of 4 June 2021

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

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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

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Moraig Lyall submission of 9 June 2021

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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

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Ronald and Irene Bain submission of 11 June 2021

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

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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

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

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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

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

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Bob Chicken submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Simon Arnold submission of 13 June 2021

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

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Norrie McLeod submission of 13 June 2021

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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

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Lyndsey Ward submission of 13 June 2021

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

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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

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

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Chris Walsh submission of 13 June 2021

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

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Joyce Miller submission of 3 August 2021

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

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Aileen Jackson submission of 3 August 2021

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