LIBDEMS "APPALLED" AT FALLAGO RIG WIND FARM DELAY (Jim Hume)

LIBDEMS "APPALLED" AT FALLAGO RIG WIND FARM DELAY

October 2, 2009 10:26 AM

Jim Hume MSP, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has again voiced his grave disappointment that a decision has yet to be made on the Fallago Rig Wind Farm Inquiry which began nearly two years ago.

The MSP also highlighted the crucial need for local involvement in the planning process in a debate on the future of Scotland's energy use.

Jim Hume said:

"The debate was an opportunity to talk about the importance of a transparent and 'community friendly' planning process when large projects are planned, and this is particularly true in relation to the Fallago Rig development. I have in recent months written to the Minister and have lodged Parliamentary Questions in a bid to obtain some kind of clarification as to the timescale of this inquiry, but so far the Minister has only responded to say that, 'the report from the Public Local Inquiry on the Fallago Rig wind farm will be published on the day the ministerial decision is announced.'

"This is hugely disappointing because local people have lost faith in the system, a system which initially concluded that the wind farm project should be rejected and now people are concerned that their views will simply be ignored. Many months have elapsed since the Inquiry began and it's clear that the only way to regain public trust is to reopen the public inquiry."

Local Councillor, Frances Renton, added:

"I am appalled and disgusted that there is still no decision come from the Scottish Government on this. This government is doing nothing to regain the trust of the local people in the farms and villages that surround the proposed wind farm at Fallago Rig. We need a decision on this now, I can only hope that government have listened to the local people and refuse this wind farm."

Mark Rowley, Vice Chair of Cranshaws, Ellemford & Longformacus Community Council also commented:

"The Community Council continue to be astounded at the government's abuse of procedure to achieve an outcome aimed to suit its own policy objectives in this area. Scottish Borders Council were clear that this was a wind farm too far, the local community opposed it and the Inquiry Reporter rejected it. Despite this, the government have done everything they can to get Fallago built, even initiating secret discussions with the developers after the Inquiry closed.

"It is clear that legally they must now reopen the Inquiry first called in 2007. The Community Council demands that it will be a full and open Inquiry looking at all evidence, especially the cumulative effect of the many wind farms now threatening the Lammermuirs."

ENDS