YOUR correspondent David Bridge (Letters, April 21) is unhappy that an 11-turbine wind farm at Freasdail has been consented.
As an objector, he is entitled to be. I take issue, however, with his parting comment that "we shall remember that the SNP were the culprits".
It is simply wrong to assert that the SNP alone are pushing the drive for renewable energy. Other political parties have set similarly ambitious targets. The 2011 election manifestos stated that Labour policy is to generate the equivalent of 80% of Scotland's electricity from renewables by 2020, Liberal Democrat policy is to generate 100% by 2025, and SNP policy is to generate 100% by 2020. Dates and targets may vary slightly, but it is undeniable that a broad consensus exists in Scotland supporting the delivery of renewable schemes, including wind.
The Freasdail proposal was determined by an independent reporter, not by SNP ministers. The decision letter states: "The Scottish Government does not provide unqualified support for renewable energy projects. Scottish planning policy requires planning authorities to support the development of wind farms in locations where the technology can operate efficiently and environmental and cumulative impacts can be satisfactorily addressed."
Having assessed the proposal in respect of each of these considerations, the reporter took the view that it could be supported.
David Williamson,
3 Rosebery Place,
Dunbar.
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