Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has recently contacted the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond MP,
following a meeting with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the approach which the MOD takes to the planning process when it comes to applications for community wind turbines.
Alasdair 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.”
“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.”
