- Group representing EDF, Siemens, SSE and other mega-businesses set themselves against Galloway and Ayrshire
- National Park would protect region from inappropriate wind farms.
Big businesses have revealed that they want to stop a National Park because it would prevent them from smothering Galloway, East and South Ayrshire with hundreds more vast wind turbines.
Trade Body Scottish Renewables is using the report created to support its response to the Strategic Environmental Assessment to publicly lobby Scottish Government to abandon proposals to create the new National Park.
They say it would make getting planning permission for wind farms more difficult.
The organisation lobbies on behalf of massive foreign owned enterprises like Scottish Power, Energiekontor, Vattenfall, EDF and Siemens who all have an interest in Galloway.
Companies which have plans to build hundreds more towering turbines.
Rob Lucas, Chairof the Galloway National Park Association, said: “It is now absolutely clear that big business has set itself against the communities, the wildlife and the future of our region. People living in the area will be furious.”
“Those who said no to a National Park in the recent consultation have every reason to feel duped because they had not been told what the consequences will be if the Park doesn’t go ahead.
“We have already done far more than our fair share of the heavy lifting when it comes to accommodating windfarms – but these companies want to fill their wallets by smothering our countryside in ever bigger turbines.
“Many of the proposals are completely inappropriate and, even worse, we know from many years of experience that the claims by these businesses that they will bring prosperity are totally empty. The money made from our countryside just goes to shareholders – many of them overseas.
“If these companies cared about the environment they would back, not block a National Park but all they care about is profit.
“It’s time that local people who have been sceptical about a National Park recognise that it is the only way to protect our area and its future and to rally to our side.”
Scottish Renewables own analysis shows that whilst Dumfries & Galloway currently has around 10% of Scotland’s onshore wind capacity it has less than1% of the jobs it reports for that sector.
Over 90% of the electricity generated is exported to the rest of Scotland and south to England.
Claire Mack, CEO of Scottish Renewables, in an interview on BBC Radio’s ‘Good Morning Scotland’ said the area was “strategically significant for onshore wind … with a lot of the future pipeline able to be developed there. However, a National park designation would impact that ability” but added that “those investments could very well go elsewhere.”
Despite the enormous resources at their disposal, Scottish Renewables chose to base their case on the whole of Dumfries and Galloway whilst ignoring South and East Ayrshire. Analysis by GNPA shows that 16 schemes are already in operation in the largest of the areas looked at in the National Park consultation – over 350 turbines in total and yet Galloway’s economy continues to fall further and further behind the rest of Scotland.
Claire Mack made the point that onshore wind can be “deployed relatively quickly” and GNPA analysis shows that a further five windfarms are under construction in the potential National Park area, seven are awaiting construction, 10 are in the formal planning process and 14 are at the scoping stage.
This may be a factor in determining the boundaries of a future National Park in Galloway but it is clear that without designation wind capacity in the area will more than double over the next 10 years.
GNPA is now writing to opponents of the National Park and calling on them to acknowledge that many more wind farms are inevitable if it is not created.
-Ends-
Note to Editors
The GNPA Vision Statement
A National Park made in Galloway for Galloway will:
Work with our COMMUNITIES to:
- Give them a strong voice in their future through the National Park Board and Partnership Plan.
- Improve the availability of affordable housing and digital connectivity.
- Support key local services and community initiatives.
- Improve access to the outdoors for all with associated health and well-being benefits.
Work for NATURE and CLIMATE CHANGE to:
- Ensure that Galloway’s special landscapes and wildlife are safeguarded.
- Enhance the biodiversity and resilience of our forests, peatlands and saltmarshes.
- Create space for species to move as the climate changes.
- Work in partnership to contribute to Net Zero.
Work to improve the ECONOMY to:
- Make Galloway a better place in which to live, work and attract people from outside the area.
- Increase prosperity across a range of sectors and bring new permanent jobs and investment to the area.
- Broaden Galloway’s economic base, building on our environment and primary industries.
- Offer our youngsters more chance of building their lives where they grew up.
About GNPA
Galloway National Park Association is a community-based group with trustees from across the region. We started work in 2017 and have over 1100 members, young supporters and business champions. Our objects are:
- To promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural assets of the area for public benefit.
- To promote, undertake and publish research into issues affecting conservation and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of the area and to identify how this may be furthered through the designation of a National Park.
- To advance public education in and understanding of how a National Park could contribute to improving health and wellbeing through the enjoyment, understanding or enhancement of the area’s natural and cultural asset”.
Rob Lucas is the association’s Chair and Sandra McDowall the Vice Chair. Dame Barbara Kelly is the President. The association has been funded by membership and donations, and contributions from Scottish Campaign for National Parks, Dumfries & Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council.
For media information contact: Rob Lucas 07808 775901or Matthew Shelley 07786 704299 or [email protected].
Galloway National Park Association is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with OSCR (SC047398) on 9th May 2017