Dozens of energy projects pushed through against local community wishes
Calls are now being made to abolish the government’s Energy Consents Unit.
Almost 50 energy developments have been pushed through against the wishes of local communities in Scotland since 2020.
The Energy Consents Unit is a department within the Scottish Government responsible for approving all electricity infrastructure over 50 megawatts.
However, analysis of this database shows that 47 developments have been approved by government ministers since 2020/21, despite local councils or community councils formally objecting to them.
Two-thirds of these developments were for wind farms and 19 per cent were for battery energy storage systems. Forty-seven per cent were forced through despite the local authority’s objection triggering a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, one development, the Kendoon to Tongland pylon reinforcement project, went ahead even after a public inquiry agreed it should be scrapped.
Following the analysis, Scottish Conservatives have called for the Energy Consents Unit needs to be abolished and claimed the SNP ministers are “riding roughshod” over local communities.
Douglas Lumsden MSP, the party’s energy spokesman, said: “Communities across Scotland are being treated with contempt by the SNP when it comes to major energy infrastructure.
“Wind farms, mega-pylons and battery storage systems are being pushed through against the clear wishes of the people who have to live beside what are often monstrosities that blight the landscape in rural areas.
“The SNP are riding roughshod over councils and residents - and now nationalist, Labour and Reform MSPs want to strip away what little rights local communities still enjoy.
“We have repeatedly said that local communities must be front and centre of any proposals and should retain a veto when it comes to giving projects the green light.
“We need a temporary pause so we can rethink how these projects are delivered - and the Energy Consents Unit must be abolished so that local people, not bureaucrats, have the final say.”
Lyndsey Ward, of Beauly, who heads the campaign group Communities B4 Power Companies , said the figures were not surprising to someone living in rural Scotland.
She told The Scotsman: “What I have found is energy companies are so deep in government they are advising them, and they are not going to advise for the benefit of communities.
“[Energy Secretary] Gillian Martin is refusing to meet with communities to talk about energy proposals, but will meet with developers.
“It is all stacked against us. The Scottish Government has an agenda and is going to do what energy companies want rather than what communities want.
“They are so removed from rural Scotland and I really hope they are voted out because they don’t listen to communities.”
Earlier this month The Scotsman reported that Borders Council had objected to the Ditcher Law wind farm near Oxton, which would have seen eight turbines, five of which would be 200 metres high, and a battery energy storage system.
Residents had also pushed back against the proposals, citing significant visual impact and the effect on the local landscape.
However the Energy Consents Unit indicated the objection may be treated as late, removing the prospect of a public inquiry.
Last month residents on the isle of Skye said they feared the option for a public inquiry into a wind farm development would be taken away from them. Muirhall Energy hopes to build 33 200m-tall turbines between Portree and Dunvegan
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “Our planning and consenting system ensures that local communities can always have their say.
“Any objections and material considerations raised are carefully balanced when determining applications.
“Potential impacts on communities, nature and cultural heritage, including cumulative impacts, are important considerations in the decision-making process.”
They added: “Applications made under the Electricity Act 1989 are determined by Scottish ministers, reflecting the strategic, national importance of energy infrastructure decisions.
“The Energy Consents Unit administers these applications on their behalf, in full accordance with all applicable legislation.”
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