Highland Council backs energy development plan that gives local people a better understanding of the proposals and a greater say

Highland Council backs proposals aimed at helping local communities a louder voice and clearer understanding of the multitude of upcoming energy projects.

During the heated meeting, members of the public gallery were seen occasionally banging on tables. Edited by Bill Lobban He threatened to continue “silence”.

This led to one person shouting that they thought she was “disgusting” in a testy exchange after she refused to give Councilor Helen Crawford time to consider the amendment.

He then explained that there should be no further disruptions when it comes time to vote: especially since this meeting must continue from the previous full council meeting.

Conservative Cllr Crawford tabled the original motion and was supported by 62 community council members as well as MSP Tim Eagle as he called for four key changes to help local people.

The SNP’s Emma Knox then called for a number of changes to be made by amendment, but in her summing up she said she was still pleased the original motion had passed but felt the changes were necessary.

Ultimately, the council voted 33 to 31 in favor of the motion; This meant a defeat for the SNP-led administration, which generally supported its own political moves in the council.

Speaking after the success of his motion, Major Crawford said: “Sixty-two community councils from across the Highlands came together to express their support for this motion. “That strength in numbers, that united voice of the Highlands, was heard loud and clear.

“Passing the motion is only the first step; we still have a long way to go to deliver the vital support our communities want and deserve. “Communities across the Highlands will be watching, expecting to see urgent action.

“Community Councils will expect to hear reports directly from the Highland Council on the difficult talks it needs to have with the Scottish Government to jump-start specialist major infrastructure training and end the piecemeal evaluation of major infrastructure applications, hence the so-called ‘salami slicing’.

“Most importantly, people in the Highlands are now awaiting an announcement from the Highland Council to confirm when holistic mapping will go live.”

He added: “My message to Highland Council is: don’t give us empty promises, we need urgent action and we expect you to deliver. Local communities have spoken and now they are watching. The motion was passed today, some good words were said but now we want to see those words put into action .”

What was suggested?

The first of these was “real-time mapping”, which shows all the important developments related to renewable energy and is proposed to provide “a holistic overview of applications currently under construction”.

Secondly, to ensure that the council leader “maintains dialogue” with the Scottish Government to ensure that the “full cumulative” impact of developments is taken into account and reports back to group leaders.

Third, the council takes urgent action to better equip communities by providing planning training to Community Councils on key applications.

And fourth, for the council to engage with communities regarding expected environmental and socio-economic impacts and review what actions it can legally take to ensure local community views are taken into account in the planning process.

counter argument

Major Emma Knox attempted to amend this motion but said she would be happy with what Major Crawford offered; This created a tense moment in the room.

In pushing his changes, Major Knox said: “I am happy to support Commander Crawford’s Motion. “I think it’s fair to say that almost everyone here has supported what’s been laid out in the motion from the outset, and we’ve been working behind the scenes to implement the measures our communities have been demanding.”

He argued that a section of the motion could potentially be “detrimental to future planning applications” so it could be removed, adding that “the cumulative impact is already a significant consideration” and could therefore be removed.

One of the points of contention was the existence of an interactive wind energy development map, which Major Knox wanted to expand and improve, but others felt it was not fit for purpose.

It also sought to introduce a planning fee that community councils could use to support community engagement, supported by planned training for these bodies.

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