A Highland MSP has claimed planning rules are heavily stacked against opponents of on-shore windfarms.
Mary Scanlon said the Scottish Government will invariably approve appeals for projects initially thrown out by local authorities because it is desperate to meet renewable energy targets.
The Highland and islands Tory list MSP said so-called community benefit attached to windfarm planning consent was tantamount to a “bribe” that opponents feel compelled to accept out of loyalty to their neighbours.
Addressing delegates at the Tory conference in Troon, Ms Scanlon said: “Windfarms should be judged on the rights and wrongs of the application but instead they are judged on community benefit.
“Community benefit should not be used as a bribe to make people vote for windfarms.”
Ms Scanlon said some people in the Highlands have serious concerns about the location of windfarms and the impact on tourism and jobs.
“These are people putting across reasonable views to elected members (councillors) who vote against them.
“But they know in their heart of hearts that when an application gets to the Scottish Government their voices will not be heard because of renewable energy targets.”
Ms Scanlon said it was “seriously wrong” that councillors are unable to express opinions about windfarm planning applications on behalf of constituents for fear of being barred from voting.
Delegates voted in favour of a motion expressing concern about costly and unreliable windfarms ruining the landscape.