Local MP Richard Arkless has added his voice to the many others objecting to the Scottish Governments decision to reverse a wind farm planning decision made by Dumfries and Galloway Planning Committee.
The Mochrum Fell wind farm development was originally refused planning permission on the grounds that it would cause ‘significant landscape and cumulative impact to the local area’. The wind farm developers, Falck Renewables, appealed against this decision to the Scottish Government whose Reporter subsequently allowed the development to go forward saying that there were “no material conditions which justified refusal.”
Commenting, Mr Arkless said:
‘I fully support the Scottish Governments ambitions renewable energy plans, but projects must command public support and this development is overwhelmingly not supported by local people.’
‘Wind farm developments must each be considered on their individual merits – I support some and object to some as each proposal brings different benefits and has a different impact on the surrounding area.’
‘In this case, my constituents are strongly against this wind farm going ahead and I share their concerns. I have written to the developers Falck Renewables and requested a meeting with them to discuss their plans. It is important to remember that the Tory Government has decimated the Renewables Subsidy regime which means there is absolutely no guarantee a wind farm with planning permission will actually get built. I will try to get a feel for their plans on behalf of the community. I have also written to the Reporter to make clear my view on the decision.”
