Parliament Workbench
Data: Official Report to 12 Nov 2026

Official Report · Committee

New Petitions

Wind Farms (Planning and Environmental Procedures) (PE664)

Wednesday 12 November 2003 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 9 contributions · 3 speakers

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The record

9 contributions
Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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Christine Grahame MSP is here and we are in the part of the meeting where we take evidence from petitioners so, if members agree, we will go to petition PE664, on proposed wind farm developments. The petition was submitted by Christine Grahame on behalf of constituents in her area who are concerned about proposals to locate a wind farm at Minch moor, which they claim will involve the siting of 14 100m-high turbines close to the village of Walkerburn and the southern upland way.The petitioners call on the Scottish Parliament to investigate the planning and environmental procedures for proposed wind farm developments in Scotland and the impact of such developments on valued areas of internationally recognised recreational countryside. The petitioner is aware that the committee is unable to become involved in local planning matters. Members will recall that the committee recently agreed formally to refer PE493 and PE559, which raise similar issues about wind farms, to the Enterprise and Culture Committee. That committee has agreed to consider them as part of its future inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland.A members' business debate, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on planning issues relating to the siting of wind farms, was held in Parliament as recently as 6 November.Would Christine Grahame like to comment?

Christine Grahame SNP South of Scotland
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It is very kind of you to allow me to comment. I will be brief, after such an exciting debate.The members' business debate on 6 November was interesting. I will highlight a couple of points that were raised, as I do not think that committee members have the Official Report of the debate in front of them.The main problem for the people in Walkerburn and for people elsewhere in Scotland who have raised similar petitions is that there does not appear to be a national framework for wind farms. We are having ribbon development. My understanding is that if developers go below 50MW—I may have got the energy level wrong—they do not have to come to the Scottish Executive with the plans. In his response to the debate, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning stated:"Central to many speeches that were critical of the existing planning framework was the argument that central Government should lay down a strategic framework for where wind farm development should take place. In fact, existing planning policy allows councils to do precisely that."—Official Report, 6 November 2003; c 3123.Therein lies the rub. It is the councils that are doing it. In the debate the minister gave examples of different practices in different councils throughout Scotland. That is what the petitioners were aiming their petition at. Wind farm development is becoming very expansive. I understand that there are 33 applications in the Borders; development is focused on that area because of the accessibility to the national grid. Many such developments are going on, not only in the Borders, but there does not seem to be a level playing field throughout Scotland. The minister did not address that issue in his speech in the debate. I draw that debate to members' attention, as I do not think that the Official Report of it is included in the papers that they will have before them when they consider their recommendation.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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Thank you. I point out that all the points that Christine Grahame has made were the basis of the petitions that came forward previously. We referred all those petitions to the Enterprise and Culture Committee for its consideration as part of its forthcoming inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland. I do not want to prevent any members who have anything to say on the petition from speaking, but I am trying to make up some time as we have had extended debates on other petitions. Do members accept the recommendation that the petition should go, as did the other two petitions on the matter, to the Enterprise and Culture Committee for its consideration?Members indicated agreement.

Christine Grahame SNP South of Scotland
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I add that the committee should draw attention to the minister's response, which did not deal with the issue at the heart of the matter—that there should be a national strategic framework rather than having councils set the strategy for their area. That is the main point.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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One of the previous petitions raised that specific point.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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All the points have been addressed by the other petitions.

John Farquhar Munro LD Ross, Skye and Inverness West
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The argument that Christine Grahame is putting forward could be replicated throughout the country. The issue is exercising the minds of representatives of local authorities throughout the land.Christine Grahame argues in the petition that the wind farm would be detrimental to an environmentally sensitive area. The same argument could put forward throughout most of Scotland. I am sure that the planning process would take into account the perceived impact that the proposed wind farms might have on wildlife in the area. There is not a great problem. The Executive and the Enterprise and Culture Committee are giving the matter due consideration and I am sure that a solution that is satisfactory to all will be arrived at.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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We will wait and see what the Enterprise and Culture Committee does on the issue. We will send the petition to that committee as it is examining the issue anyway and the petition adds to the petitions that have previously come before the committee.

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