Local MSP Craig Hoy has written to John Swinney calling for a moratorium on new applications for onshore wind, battery storage and solar development, and for a pause on mega-pylon projects.
Mr Hoy, who represents the South Scotland region, believes that communities do not have enough say in the planning process, and he has warned that the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) is failing to reflect the concerns of communities across South Scotland.
Mr Hoy said: “Time and time again, the Energy Consents Unit and Scottish ministers routinely override local planning decisions and disregard the very real concerns of local community groups.
“That’s why I have written to the First Minister asking for a moratorium on all future renewables applications and for a new mechanism to give communities more support and a much stronger voice to oppose controversial applications.”
Mr Hoy also wants the government to restrict the number of applications developers can pursue to stop repeated applications when plans are originally rejected.
He said: “I want to prevent ‘David versus Goliath’ scenarios where aggressive cash rich developers repeatedly reapply until their renewable project is consented, which sadly we see all too often across South Scotland. I also asked the First Minister to review the cumulative impact of onshore renewable development in areas where communities are now widely opposed to them.”
Mr Hoy challenged John Swinney to act before communities and the countryside is destroyed by over development of large-scale renewables projects.
Mr Hoy added: “Of course we need to harness the potential that Scotland has in its renewables sector, but not at the cost of communities and our countryside. It is time to put communities first.”
ENDS
Notes: Mr Hoy’s letter to the First Minister is attached
