SNP MSP for the South of Scotland Alasdair Morgan today (Tuesday) published his submission to the Scottish Government’s consultation on offshore windfarms, in which he opposes the short term proposal for a windfarm located close inshore in Wigtown Bay.
Mr Morgan said:
“Although I support renewable technology and supported the Robin Rigg windfarm proposal, I am very concerned indeed about the proposal for Wigtown Bay. In the first place, the available plans suggest that it would be located very close to the shore indeed, perhaps as little as 1.5 miles offshore. That is far closer to land than Robin Rigg.
“Not only that, the Strategic Environmental Assessment supplied with the proposal raises far more concerns than it resolves. It mentions potential damage to areas of high visual and seascape character and also potentially to birds and mammals.
“Of no less importance are the concerns raised over commercial fishing and recreational angling, both of which contribute to the local economy.
“My biggest concern however is that the inclusion of this scheme as a short term project would give little or no opportunity for any of these concerns to be addressed and that the region would essentially be confronted with a ‘done deal’ if this proposal were included.
“I have therefore asked for the Wigtown Bay proposal to be removed from the draft plan, a view which I note concurs with Dumfries & Galloway Council’s opinion, and I hope that these objections will be taken into account.
Read full text of Mr Morgan’s consulation submission / download 
.
