A north-east council has become one of the first local authorities in Scotland to officially seek a temporary halt to windfarm applications.
Moray Council is calling for a moratorium in the region while a public consultation on new policy guidance for turbines is carried out.
The council’s planning and regulatory services committee agreed it would be inconsistent to accept new proposals while views on the future of wind energy are still being collected.
Members of the public have until September 14 to have their say on a draft version of the authority’s updated guidance on dealing with onshore turbine applications.
Feedback will be relayed to councillors before the final guidance document is approved.
Committee chairman Douglas Ross said: “The committee unanimously agreed to seek this moratorium as we want to make it clear to the people in Moray that we are genuinely consulting and listening to their views.
“It is up to the Scottish Government to agree to this request, but I think with the cross-party backing we have a very strong argument. For the next few months we want to hear the varied views from people across Moray on this important issue.”
Once approved, the guidance will be used by councillors considering all proposals for turbines higher than 65ft.
The document, which will replace the 2005 guidance, has been drawn up to safeguard Moray from “inappropriate development”.
Fochabers and Lhanbryde councillor Mr Ross added: “The committee also agreed, followinga vote, to include a reference about community funds. We propose that the draft document states the council do not expect developers to discuss potential community funds before an application is determined.”
Copies of the draft guidance will be sent to all community councils, groups and organisations, and will also be available at Moray Council officers and libraries.
The information will also be on the council’s website from next Tuesday.
