The MCofS manifesto aims to halt the spread of turbines to munros and corbetts
Britain’s two representative bodies for mountaineers have united in their opposition to the building of windfarms on Scotland’s highest mountains.
The Manchester-based British Mountaineering Council today announced its backing for its sister organisation north of the border which is seeking a moratorium on turbine construction on munros and corbetts.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s manifesto on onshore windfarms calls for a halt to further developments in the nation’s key upland areas. The document also seeks urgent action to create a Scottish national spatial renewables policy to harmonise clean energy generation with landscape protection.
MCofS chief officer David Gibson welcomed the support of the BMC, which has 75,000 members and represents mountaineers and hillwalkers across England and Wales.
He said: “BMC backing for our manifesto is an important step forward in our campaign to stop big electricity companies exploiting Scotland’s natural heritage for their own profits.
“Climbers and hillwalkers all over Scotland, and the UK, are deeply concerned about the growing number of highly unsuitable planning applications being made to build huge commercial wind farms in Scotland’s most sensitive and beautiful mountain landscapes.
“We are not opposed to wind farms; we are in favour of conserving our mountains.
David Gibson: 'important step forward'
“We are calling on the Scottish Government to work with those who care about the environment to create a clear policy on what will be permitted and where.
“Current measures, including their new good practice guide, are ineffectual responses to an issue with huge implications for our natural heritage, our wildlife and our tourism industries.”
Dave Turnbull, BMC chief executive said: “Our members and many overseas climbers have always regarded Scotland’s fantastic mountains as an important destination of choice, offering year-round challenges for hill walkers, and climbers
“We are backing the MCofS manifesto because we believe that the mountains must be protected for future generations to enjoy – not just mountaineers but all those who enjoy the landscape.
Dave Turnbull: 'mountains must be protected'
“The BMC recognises the challenge and dangers of a changing climate and is not opposed to wind energy; far from it. But our wildest landscapes need protection from uncontrolled industrialisation.
“Scotland’s mountains now face an unprecedented threat from an onslaught of windfarm applications. These are bound to have an impact on peoples’ enjoyment of the mountains as many iconic areas are faced with major industrial developments.
“At this stage we may not know what the impact will be on our members’ perception of Scotland as a destination, but there is bound to be some reaction to the prospect of visiting industrialised landscapes.”
The MCofS manifesto also has the support of Scottish organisations the Munro Society, the Cairngorms Campaign and the North East Mountain Trust.
David Ramsbotham
11 September 2012As applicants can appeal to the Government to reverse local decisions we need to get it onside, as well as councils and others, if we are going to stop these wind turbines being built.
Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please object to the Government at
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22958
or by GOOGLING "E-PETITION 22958" and following the link.
Please pass this message on to Councillors, friends, neighbours and anyone else you know to persuade them to sign up too. If you are really concerned about wind turbines please write a letter promoting this petition to your local Newsletter and to the Editors of your local newspapers.
E Munro
11 September 2012As a member of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and as someone who loves our country and our mountains I am appalled at their continued approach to onshore wind. They have NEVER consulted me as a member and this ongoing blanket opposition is outdated and shows a lack of respect for the environments we wish to preserve.
They should look at the RSPB and the scientific and logical approach they take to onshore wind - respecting its role in providing us with much needed clean green electricity but taking each application on a case by case basis.
Shame on you MCoS for acting without a proper mandate of your members and a true love of our landspaces (which are increasingly under threat from our love of fossil fuels...).
Simon Reeves
12 September 2012I totally agree with E. Munro above. I've been enjoying the Scottish mountains all of my life, climbing and walking in all seasons. I have no objection to wind farms. For the BMC to say that our "wildest landscapes need protection from uncontrolled industrialisation" shows their complete lack of understanding and a cynical attempt to sensationalise the issue. I fail to see how wind farms can be seen as uncontrolled industrialisation when there is a planning system in place which needs to be followed developers. Wind turbines are hardly "industrialising" anything - I find them graceful and a wonderful symbol of sustainability.
Furthermore, our "wildest landscapes" are already designated as National Parks or National Scenic Areas. As such, no wind farms will ever be sited there. I am more than happy for areas outside of these to accommodate wind farms.
Neither the BMC nor MCofS speak in my name, nor in the name of many of my mountaineering friends. They are not the voice of Scotland's or Britain's mountaineers.
Shame on them.
Richard
13 September 2012I suspect those organisations speak on behalf of the vast majority of their members, who oppose industrialisation of beautiful, wild places. If you enjoy watching these "graceful" turbines, then by all means let's have some in appropriate places and you can go and watch them there. The rest of us go to the mountains and the wild places to get away from the ever-encroaching advance of such things.
As for the "planning system" the developers have to follow, that seems much less democratic, when a local authority can turn down an application only for it to be overthrown by central government. Check the Druim Fada application - 85 against, 14 for, various bodies argued against it, turned down locally, approved at Holyrood. Smashing planning system.