A leading churchman has spoken out against windfarms and claims he has a Christian duty to protect the countryside from being “marred and disfigured”.
Bishop of Newcastle the Right Rev Martin Wharton said he has yet to see evidence that windfarms will ever provide the reliable energy needed by society.
His intervention was welcomed by protesters in the north and north-east, who said his remarks echoed many people’s.
Aberdeenshire Council leader Jim Gifford recently said the number of applications was pushing local authorities to the brink.
Mr Wharton said: “It is a basic Christian truth that we all have a duty and a responsibility to care for and exercise wise stewardship over God’s creation, which has been entrusted to us.
“Our countryside needs to be protected and preserved for ourselves, for our children and for our grandchildren as a place of refreshment and renewal for the spiritual health and wellbeing of us all.”
Murdo Fraser, convener of Holyrood’s energy committee, said opposition to windfarms was not based solely on visual aesthetics but on “sound facts” regarding the cost, intermittency and unreliability of onshore wind energy.
“It is morally and economically inappropriate to risk the visual beauty of our countryside with large-scale industrial wind developments,” he added.
“However … the Scottish Government will forge on with their renewable policies, ignoring the views of many rural residents and ruining the balance in our energy generation mix.”
Moray Council planning convener Douglas Ross said the region was at “saturation point” in regard to large-scale wind turbines. “There is no doubt that there needs to be a mix of energy sources but the SNP’s obsession with wind energy means the bishop’s comments are as relevant in Scotland as they are in Northumberland,” he added.
Recommended for you
