Current Petitions

The next item is PE493 from Miss Marilyn Henderson on behalf of Avich and Kilchrenan community council. Members will recall that we wanted a reply about VisitScotland's research project on the impact of wind farms on tourism. There are also two other petitions about wind farms, from John B P Hodgson on wind farm development in Scotland, and from Mr W R Graham on a national strategy for wind farms. We have received responses from VisitScotland, the Scottish Executive and the Scottish renewables forum. Obviously, what they say is very different from what the petitioners say. The Scottish Executive has provided a fairly robust defence of its policy on renewable energy projects. Both the Executive and the Scottish renewables forum are of the view that the current planning guidance relating to renewables development is up to date and adequate. The point is made that Scottish targets for renewable energy and planning policy are mutually supportive, with the planning system making positive provision for renewable energy developments while simultaneously ensuring effective development control. The value of a strategic environmental assessment of Scotland's renewable energy programme is also questioned, on the basis that impacts of projects are always site specific rather than general. The forum notes that developers are working proactively with Scottish Natural Heritage and others to discuss projects at an early inception stage, so that the impact can be minimised. It urges the Parliament to support that approach and trusts that good practice, training and support can be developed on renewable developments to ensure that they are properly planned and constructed and that impacts are minimised. The Executive refutes many of the claims made by the petitioners as to the limited value of renewable energy projects, and their claims that it is exerting undue pressure on planning authorities to approve developments in order to meet renewable targets. In relation to PE493, VisitScotland states that its research shows that a quarter of visitors say that they will not return to an area in which they feel a wind farm has been insensitively sited, and where it detracts from the scenery that has been a major reason for their visit. VisitScotland therefore believes that there should be a presumption against development within or on the periphery of areas carrying landscape or environmental designations. In other areas, planning policy should aim to avoid saturation development in the countryside. It is suggested that members may wish to consider whether the concerns raised in the petitions, balanced against the responses received, justify further consideration by the Parliament. Basically, the Executive is saying that there is no need for a strategic approach to the development of wind farms, because it is always site specific. The petitioners hold that that is not the case and that there should be a general policy or strategic overview on this matter. It is up to us to decide whether to pass this matter on to another committee for consideration after the election, or to end it here.

Okay. However, it has been drawn to my attention that one of the petitioners numbers among wind farm protesters who will stand as candidates in the election to the Scottish Parliament on this issue.

Is it agreed that we pass the petition to the relevant committee in the new session, as it is too late to do so in the current session?Members indicated agreement.