CONSERVATIONISTS have welcomed what they describe as the ringing public endorsement of plans to protect Scotland's wild land, with only energy corporations, property developers and landowners opposed.
The John Muir Trust has analysed 150 submissions to the consultation document launched in May, which contains the government's proposal to strengthen protection for 43 core areas of wild land as mapped by Scottish Natural Heritage.
The JMT said the exercise showed two to one support for wild land protection.
It said those supporting wild land protection include individuals, environmental and other charities, outdoors organisations, businesses, local authorities, community councils, landowners and professional bodies.
Fewer than 50 responses oppose the proposals and the JMT said almost all were from those with a financial interest in making profit from wild land.
More than two thirds of responses in opposition were submitted by companies based outside Scotland.
John Hutchison, JMT chair, said: "The negative responses from energy corporations and property developers confirm that industrialisation of our wild land is driven, not by concern over climate change, but by profit."
One of those objecting is RWE nPower - Germany's biggest energy corporation involved in coal, gas and nuclear. RWE said: "We note there is a lack of consistency with respect to relative wildness ranking including in the core areas.
"We encourage the Scottish Government to revise the presentation of wild land within the current draft of Scottish Planning Policy."
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