Wind farm debate

Published on Saturday 3 December 2011 00:00

Thank you so much for reporting so thoroughly on the wind farm debate in Holyrood yesterday (2 December).

We sat through an hour of a prior debate (we saw only about 20 MSPs there), only to be delighted to see the chamber filling with 111 MSPs as the debate drew to a close.

We naively thought the filling of the public gallery at that point with campaigners from all over Scotland had resulted in enthusiasm for the next debate on Alex Salmond’s wind farm policy.

We had to laugh as the MSPs were called to a vote on a prior motion and then the vast majority, including Alex Salmond, immediately left the chamber. About 35 MSPs then held an excellent cross-party debate on the problems associated with this goldrush for wind.

Your article will provide useful information for those MSPs who seem to treat their electorate with contempt.

Professor Bruce and Mrs Celia Hobbs

Peebles Road

Penicuik

Neil FINDLAY, MSP, led a debate, on 1 December in the Scottish Parliament, entitled “Community Benefit and the Cumulative Impact of Windfarm Developments in Communities”.

Although this is a subject that the majority of people in Scotland feel very strongly about, only 26 MSPs were present.

Alex Salmond appeared to vote at an earlier debate, but was not there to hear his beloved wind turbines being criticised.

There were hundreds of people from all parts of Scotland in the public gallery.

Points raised by MSPs included inappropriate sites; exploiting the fast buck; politicians not listening; foreign companies reaping the subsidies; unacceptable noise levels; billions of pounds in subsidies; unrealistic targets and paying through the nose through our electricity bills.

There was a call for a moratorium on further wind turbine developments until justifiable concerns have been answered, but will the SNP listen?

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow

Comments

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14

fred bloggs

Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 11:21 AM

THKS THX.

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13

THX1138

Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 09:55 AM

#12. I think they mean: .............................. http:##tinyurl.com#coaarn6 ................................ a full transcript of the debate can be found at: ............... http:##tinyurl.com#boryxb6 ---------------- Obviously, replace all # with forward slashes

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12

fred bloggs

Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 08:15 AM

I can't find this alleged report. Where is it?

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11

norfolkboy14

Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 06:28 AM

Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your concern on http:epetitions.direct.gov.ukpetitions22958

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10

tested

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 04:24 PM

Mr Salmond' and cohort's hasty retreat from the debate was deliberately planned in order that the issue drew as little media attention as possible. As a pro independence supporter the SNP's handling or rather mishandling of Scotland's energy supply makes me worry for the future of an independent Scotland should these same people remain in charge.

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9

man-o-field

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 12:30 PM

AND WInd generation fails. Note recently that in only 3 days of 22 did 'steady' generation exceed 1200MW. Not that unusual a situation.

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8

Geomac

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 12:21 PM

#7 Sam - please stick to the issue - wind turbines - and leave petty politics out of this debate. Thnaks

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7

samcoldstream

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 12:11 PM

Just wait until there is a change of Scottish Government, as there surely will, "the disdain with which the SNP government is treating the Scottish people..." will pale into significance compared to the Scots Unionist parties!

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6

Ron Greer

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 11:13 AM

3 Sam Quotestream Now that you are in 'crystal ball' mode, perhaps you can tell us how many wind turbines and where, how many dammed up glens and corries( name 5) and how many tidal turbines( where and when) Maybe while you are at it you could tell us what are the actual geoclimatic effects from Scotland's 0,17% contribution to world anthropogenic CO2 levels? Oh what cut and paste opportunities for you Sam.!

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5

Geomac

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 11:11 AM

Two fine letters - but the big problem is that the gorenment is not listening. It seems that Salmond is hell bent on ruining vast swathes of our country for little, if any, benefit - certainly not to the environment! It is getting harder and harder to travel to any part of the countryside and not be faced with an array of useless wind turbines. More and more people's lives are being impacted by the industrialisation of once treasured landscapes - many are suffering noise and consequent health problems - and it's going to get worse when the already approved additional turbines are built - not to mention the ever increasing new planning submissions for even more onshore turbines. It fast approaching epidemic levels! It's long past time for us to be given a referendum on this serious issue.

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4

Bill in Oz

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 11:08 AM

It is time the Scottish media began reporting the disdain with which this SNP governement is treating the Scottish people. It will only be by informing the people of the closed-mind attitude and utter disrespect with which Salmond and his political chimpanzees regard the Scottish people that this Government will be turned out. The Fourth Estate has an OBLIGATION to expose this kind of thing and is failing its responsibilities in not doing so,. The Scotsman and the other newspapers and media across the nation should be utterly ashamed of its abject cap-in-hand attitude to Salmond and the fools who support him

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3

samcoldstream

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10:24 AM

Once a Scots Unionist administration is returned at Holyrood, as it surely will, it won't listen either. Nuclear, gas and coal are an important part of the UK government's stated policy but so are renewables and any new Unionist Scottish Government will make sure the drive for this form of energy is increased. even more.

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2

cajwbroomhill

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 08:48 AM

Wind turbines may yet provide the Trojan Horse that SNP policy has earned, but, hopefully, before Scotland has been despoiled for good. Their Leader risks being remembered only as the ruination of Scotland, rather than as her saviour.

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1

nabodican

Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 08:15 AM

Unfortunately it is unlikely the SNP will listen, it will be just the same as the debate in Westminster on a referendum on EU membership, very few took part in the debate but they all turned up to vote under a three line whip. Wee fat Eck will do exactly the same.

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