A NORTH-EAST planning chief has called today for a six-month ban on wind turbine applications amid fears the region is heading for a crisis.
Peter Argyle, chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, has accused the Scottish Government of being “out of touch” with the communities that are being “overwhelmed” by the hundreds of green energy proposals.
Last night – as Donald Trump touched down in Aberdeen to take his fight against wind turbines to the Scottish Parliament – the councillor said that there needs to be a moratorium on all undecided schemes.
“If the Scottish Government cared at all about the consequences of its target-driven approach to renewables, it would engage with the council and with the people of Aberdeenshire to explore ways of addressing a situation thatlocally is fast becoming a crisis,” he said.
The local authority has dealt with more than 800 planning applications in little over a year, which has had a “serious impact” on the region, according to Mr Argyle.
“We urgently need time and space to take stock,” he said.
“All undetermined applications should be put on hold by relieving the council of the two-month obligation (the period they have to make a decision on an application).
“Applications could still be lodged, as this would assist the creation of an accurate picture, but none would be determined for perhaps six months – not until we are certain about what the landscape can shoulder without detriment.”
Mr Trump, who is opposing plans for a North Sea windfarm which would be seen from his £750million golf course at Menie, described Mr Argyle as a “brilliant man”.
“I cannot imagine why anybody would allow them to be built,” he said.
“They are going to ruin your environment, they are unsafe and it is lousy energy.”
The Scottish Government says it will only allow windfarms to be built where the impacts have been found to be acceptable – and unsuitable applications will be rejected.
A spokesman said: “While onshore wind can create opportunities for communities, our planning guidance makes clear that developments must always be very carefully sited to ensure none are built which have unacceptable impacts on the environment or local amenity.”
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