Letters / Little say and no benefit
One might think from the usual Sustainable Shetland (SuS) hyperbole that the Viking Energy wind farm was dead and buried.
Lady Clark rescinded planning consent on a technical point: that VE did not have an energy generating licence. Up to now it has been the case that any energy development has sought this licence after receiving planning permission.
The judge’s decision on this therefore affects any new energy generating development anywhere in Britain. Her decision is not against the wind farm per se and, until appeals are held, VE still has planning consent.
She also raised the issue of whimbrel. This is somewhat of an anomaly, a protected species outwith a protected area. There seems no reason why this cannot be addressed to her satisfaction.
Your correspondent said that after six years ‘what is there to show?’ Well, there would be a lot more if SuS saw some sense.
The wind farm stands to bring great benefits to Shetland, to the developers yes, but also to the whole community, particularly by way of income and employment.
Anyone remotely aware of the state of Shetland’s and the nation’s finances and the dreadful forecast for the dwindling opportunities for the young would want the wind farm and the many spin-offs to get underway as soon as possible.
SuS perhaps need reminding that if VE does not go ahead with community involvement it will go ahead under a private developer and Shetland and Shetlanders will have little say and no benefit.
Laughton Johnston
(for Shetland Windfarm Supporters)
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