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Dumfries and Galloway councils seek wind farm moratorium | Dumfries and Galloway councils seek wind farm moratorium |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Fifty community councils from across Dumfries and Galloway have called for a moratorium on planning consent for wind farms in the region. | Fifty community councils from across Dumfries and Galloway have called for a moratorium on planning consent for wind farms in the region. |
They have written to the Scottish government and their local council. | They have written to the Scottish government and their local council. |
Willie Dickson, of Corsock and Kirkpatrick-Durham Community Council, said "impartial, accurate information on the pros and cons" was needed. | Willie Dickson, of Corsock and Kirkpatrick-Durham Community Council, said "impartial, accurate information on the pros and cons" was needed. |
The community councils say hundreds of wind farms are operational or planned across southern Scotland. | The community councils say hundreds of wind farms are operational or planned across southern Scotland. |
They said they could cumulatively have a "profound impact on the landscape and wildlife". | They said they could cumulatively have a "profound impact on the landscape and wildlife". |
They claim a map produced by Scottish Natural Heritage shows southern Scotland has more onshore wind farm developments proposed than any other part of the country. | They claim a map produced by Scottish Natural Heritage shows southern Scotland has more onshore wind farm developments proposed than any other part of the country. |
The community councils said that followed recent studies highlighting the impact of wind farms on property prices and tourism. | The community councils said that followed recent studies highlighting the impact of wind farms on property prices and tourism. |
Mr Dickson said: "Our community council felt overwhelmed by the number of wind farm proposals being planned for our area. | Mr Dickson said: "Our community council felt overwhelmed by the number of wind farm proposals being planned for our area. |
"When we consulted other community councils across Dumfries and Galloway, it became clear that many others felt the same. | "When we consulted other community councils across Dumfries and Galloway, it became clear that many others felt the same. |
"We need impartial, accurate information on the pros and cons of the proposed wind farm developments. | "We need impartial, accurate information on the pros and cons of the proposed wind farm developments. |
"And we need sufficient time and resources to consult the communities we serve and represent." | "And we need sufficient time and resources to consult the communities we serve and represent." |
He said the developments being proposed could have a major impact for the next 25 years. | He said the developments being proposed could have a major impact for the next 25 years. |
"These need to be properly and democratically considered," he said. | "These need to be properly and democratically considered," he said. |
The letter, signed by the 50 community councils, asks both the Scottish government and Dumfries and Galloway Council for a moratorium on wind farm applications until the cumulative effects can be properly assessed. | The letter, signed by the 50 community councils, asks both the Scottish government and Dumfries and Galloway Council for a moratorium on wind farm applications until the cumulative effects can be properly assessed. |
The community councils said they felt it was the only "reasonable and democratic" way forward. | The community councils said they felt it was the only "reasonable and democratic" way forward. |
A short statement from Dumfries and Galloway Council said: "We will consider the issue but we are aware that the Scottish government has rejected previous similar requests." |