Allan contacts defence secretary over wind turbine objections 12/9/13
SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has asked defence secretary Philip Hammond to explain the
Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) almost blanket objections against community wind turbines
on Uist.
Mr Allan discussed the issue at a meeting with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Mr Allan commented: “I completely respect the need for the MOD to ensure safety as
a prime consideration. However, I believe it is also reasonable that private individuals
and communities be given some idea of what the MOD would see as acceptable from their
point of view for these applications.
“In Uist at present, there appears to be an effectively routine objection by the
MOD to most applications for wind turbines, including many small scale community
turbines, with little scope for any dialogue with local applicants that might give
them some idea of what if any mitigation would be acceptable to the MOD.
“I have written to the Secretary of State for Defence to ask for clarification on
this issue and to suggest that it might be an idea for a meeting to be arranged between
officials from the MOD and the Comhairle to see if there is any way through this
impasse. Many local applicants simply cannot afford to go through the process without
a clearer idea of the MOD's views.”