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Griffin Windfarm: Debate is Needed Insists MSP
oncern that Perth & Kinross Council refused to have a debate on the construction of Griffin wind farm and its impact on the local community has been expressed by Murdo Fraser MSP, who spoke at the public local inquiry held in Amulree against the planning application for the development.
Strathtay Ward’s C’llr Barbara Vaughan submitted a motion to P&K to have a council debate on the construction of Griffin wind farm. The motion aimed to debate the impact that the construction of the wind farm will have on local communities and what action can be taken to minimise disruption. However, Provost John Hulbert ruled the motion ‘inadmissible’ and thus the opportunity to have a debate was lost.
As one of the half dozen members of the public who was present observed: “It was truly appalling. Political jousting at its worst. The Provost would not allow the motion to be put forward and did not allow any discussion. ....I would not describe the Provost as being impartial. Given the SNP renewable agenda as a means of ingratiating the EU, it seems inevitable that a hostile approach to objectors can be expected from the Council with wind farm issues.”
The SNP Government granted consent for the Griffin wind farm near Aberfeldy in January 2008. The 68 turbine wind farm will have a generating capacity of 204 Megawatts (MW) of electricity.
Obligation
Commenting, the MSP said:“I believe that P&K Council has an obligation to debate construction issues surrounding this wind farm. The Council must consider all the issues that will affect local residents. Just because approval for Griffin has been granted, this does not mean that there are not real concerns still outstanding about the construction and its impact on the area.
“As we have seen from the construction of Drumderg wind farm, the construction of a wind farm can cause substantial disruption to local communities. There are issues of traffic congestion and road safety due to the HGVs transporting the turbine parts to the site. Furthermore, there are concerns about the roads being damaged and left in a mess due to the construction traffic. These are all matters that need to be discussed by the Council in order that disruption for local residents will be minimised.
“The grant of planning consent for Griffin came with a long list of conditions. Local residents want to see these properly enforced, and that is the Council’s job. I am far from convinced that we saw proper enforcement of planning conditions during the construction of the Drumderg wind farm, and we cannot allow the same thing to happen twice. That is why a useful start would be to have a full debate in the Council on the Griffin development, and I fear that by refusing this the Council administration is simply trying to brush these serious issues under the carpet.
“Local residents expect the Council to defend their interests. I would welcome an assurance from the Council administration that, even if they are unwilling to allow a debate, they will not let the people of Perthshire down.”
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