Consultation launches on expanding local say in large-scale energy developments
The public survey comes five years after a petition for change to the current process was lodged
A consultation seeking views on whether communities should have more of a say on large-scale energy projects has been published.
Renewable energy developments in Scotland reaching more than 50MW bypass local authorities and are considered, instead, by the ECU — the Scottish Government department responsible for processing applications for large-scale energy infrastructure.
The threshold south of the Border is 100MW, despite the average capacity of wind farms in England being much less than the average of 120MW in Scotland, according to campaigners.
The consultation comes after community groups from the Borders to the Highlands have been campaigning to raise the 50MW figure to ensure local influence in planning is held onto.
Tensions have been building in rural communities across the country about how the buildout of renewable energy projects is being handled. Energy bosses claim the current onshore wind capacity needs to double in the next five years to meet government targets.
A petition to increase local influence in large-scale energy projects was first lodged by Scotland Against Spin (SAS) in March 2021. The paper, due to be debated this month, urges residents impacted by the surge in new energy-related infrastructure in rural areas are given “sufficient, professional help to engage in the planning process” and that an independent advocate is available “to ensure local participants are not bullied and intimidated during public inquiries”.
After five years, energy secretary Gillian Martin is due to be quizzed on the petition on January 14.
It comes after MSPs unanimously voted last year for Ms Martin to do so. Scottish Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw, convenor of the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee, previously said the petition had drawn “considerable interest” from politicians.
The committee had previously recommended the Scottish Government explore the proposals in the petition.
While campaigners urge people respond to the fresh consultation, some have queried the need for another survey on the matter.
A previous public questionnaire on the 50MW threshold was held in February last year.
The Investing in Planning consultation found views were mixed, with a slight majority in favour of change, mainly from planning authorities, communities, and third sector groups. Meanwhile industry, including property and the land management sector, represented the majority of those not in favour.
Aileen Jackson, who launched the petition on behalf of SAS, said: “This petition has been live for nearly five years, the entire length of this current parliament during which time there has been a change in planning policy south of the border.
“The committee has always supported the petition and recommended that ‘the Scottish Government explore the scope for planning authorities to determine more applications for onshore windfarm developments by raising the 50MW threshold while ensuring that genuine local support is a key material consideration in the decision-making process.’
“That is important as there is no point in giving local authorities the power to make decisions on ever larger wind farms or other forms of generating stations (which can still be appealed) if the views and wishes of the local community can still be ignored.”
The campaigner questioned the need for further consultation.
Mrs Jackson said: “Could it be because the cabinet secretary has been called to give evidence to the petitions committee on 14 January and she wants to be able to give communities and local authorities some positive news in the run up to the next election?”
“Whatever the reason, we urge everyone to respond to this consultation and if possible show their support for the petition by turning up in person at the committee meeting on 14 January.”
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