The Scottish government’s new National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), which include guidelines for the development of renewable electricity, heat and transport, have been welcomed by local lobbyists.
Joss Blamire, senior policy manager at Scottish Renewables, said: “We’re pleased that the new planning guidelines recognise that renewables developments are an essential part of Scotland’s future.”
But, he cautioned against a “one-size-fits-all” approach to planning decisions for wind farms.
“It is essential that we strike the right balance between harnessing our fantastic wind resource and protecting Scotland’s most valued landscapes. That’s why we support the government’s efforts to make national scenic areas and national parks off limits to large-scale applications,” said Mr Blamire.
“We need to remember that the onshore wind sector supports thousands of jobs, has attracted billions of pounds of investment and generates enough carbon-free electricity to meet the equivalent of almost a third of Scotland’s needs. It is also the cheapest form of renewable energy that can be built at the scale we need.”
However, he added: “The Scottish Government needs to ensure the new planning framework does not rule out good quality proposals and we reaffirm our view that new developments are best judged on a case-by-case basis.
“It would be in nobody’s interest for Scotland to lose out on the important environmental, economic and social opportunities that are created by the onshore wind sector.”