Wild Land News no 57, Spring 2003

COMMENT Article

Another twist in the old development versus conservation arguments.

At a wild land seminar in Pitlochry organised by Scottish Environment LINK, it became clear that one element of Government, (namely those promoting renewable energy and energy conservation at the Scottish Executive) was lobbying hard to play down the efforts of another element of Government - Scottish Natural Heritage - who wish to protect certain landscapes and habitats from intrusive energy projects.

To the assembled mass of campaigners present, this represented another twist in the oft-repeated 'antagonism' between development and conservation. In the past, life was simpler: the 'bad guys' for wild land were bodies such as private developers, large estate owners and commercial tourist operators. Nowadays is central government, both in Holyrood and Westminster, the bad guy, for pushing the development of many wild parts of Scotland, through renewable energy schemes, typically hydro and wind farms? Or are conservation bodies the baddies - for delaying the expansion of green energy projects that will generate locally based energy for communities?

Yet again one hand of government does not work with what the other hand is charged to do. Yet again conservation bodies have to fight against schemes which in themselves are not 'bad', they are just in the wrong location and based on the 'cheapest is best' philosophy.

How long will it take for Government to realise that the substantial expansion of alternative energy projects will only succeed with widespread support if such projects are directed to locations which are relatively uncontroversial. Such locations may not be the windiest or the best spot for a hydro dam, but surely some of the massive subsidies for such projects can be used to help them be located in places collectively agreed as more suitable.

The renewable energy industry have repeated time and again that they wish certainty and clarity in locating and planning these projects. The conservation bodies have repeated that they are not against green energy. The public are already contributing through their everyday fuel bills to funds for these types of projects.

SNH have been fighting a key corner in drafting and publicising locational guidelines for wind farms, as well as advice for other renewable projects. The SNH seminars promoting such guidelines are heavily oversubscribed. What is missing is strong government backing for this approach, and clear direction to ensure projects are not in areas of wild land, special habitats, scenic areas, etc.

The International Year of the Mountain, the foot and mouth epidemic, the key tourist market all have shown that Scotland's landscapes and associated communities are of vital importance to Scotland. Can the devolved Scottish government not take a lead by protecting these assets whilst promoting renewable energy in suitable locations?