The Minister for Local Government and Planning, Derek Mackay, has written to Moray Council confirming the Scottish Government’s opposition to their request for a moratorium on wind turbine applications.

In his letter, Mackay said that a moratorium on decision-making on wind turbines in Moray would be ‘an unprecedented step in Scottish Planning practice’.

This has significance for us in Orkney, given that we had hoped to follow the same route as Moray. 

Following the application by Moray Council on 3 July for a moratorium, Orkney Manifesto Group members accepted the view of Orkney Islands Council officials that we should adopt a wait and see approach to the Moray initiative before making our own move.

In the event, the attitude of the Scottish Government has been made clear. The Scottish National Party will continue to pursue its renewable goals by riding roughshod over local concerns.

Revealingly, in turning down the request for a moratorium, Mackay welcomed news that Moray Council is consulting on planning guidance for onshore wind turbines, adding that the Scottish Government wants to see an increase in the country’s renewable energy generation capability.

Cllr Bill Stout of the Orkney Manifesto Group commented, “This is a very disappointing outcome for Moray and for Orkney. It demonstrates again the SNP centralist and disempowering approach to Scottish affairs.

“Under the circumstances, there is little point in trying to pursue a moratorium for Orkney any further. We must focus now on reviewing the local planning guidelines for wind turbines as quickly and efficiently as we possibly can.

“There is no doubt that the OIC will be able to define areas where wind turbine developments can be permitted and encouraged. However, we may need to reset our expectations on how restrictive our guidelines can be, given the level of SNP government interference.”