Carmichael to back revised Shetland-specific energy statement
A SHETLAND-specific statement calling for a pause on all new energy projects is set to be backed by Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.
However MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad has told BBC Radio Shetland she will not sign the statement – instead focusing on her own plans for a Shetland Energy Act.
The revised unified statement, released today by the Association of Community Councils (ASCC), comes after both Goodlad and Carmichael declined to back an original copy at an energy convention in Islesburgh last month.
The politicians said that the document, which was started by a Highlands councillor, was not Shetland-centric enough.
Politicians stop short of backing energy moratorium and call for Shetland specific plan
The new statement urges Scottish ministers to take better account of Shetland’s distinct concerns and its local industries when making decisions on energy projects in the isles.
It also urges the Scottish Government to undertake a planning inquiry commission to address the “cumulative impact” of major renewable projects on Shetland.
And it calls for a pause of all major developments in Shetland and wider Scotland, “until a clear national energy policy is in place and a full impact assessment is made”.
This pause should only end when governments deliver “meaningful assistance to local people” for the cost of heating in Shetland.
“We recognise the extent and immediacy of the climate crisis and its impact on our planet but oppose an unjust and unnecessary industrialisation of rural Shetland,” it says.
“Planning procedures do not currently allow adequate account to be taken of community needs and wishes.
“In particular, no account is taken of the cumulative effect of different projects being consented.
“Shetland’s economy is rooted in food production through fishing, aquaculture and agriculture, and also in tourism.
“These industries need to be protected as further energy developments are considered.”
The revised statement has been sent to all of the Highlands and Islands list MSPs, with Tim Eagle (Conservative) and Max Bannerman (Reform) already signalling an intent to sign it.
An energy convention held in Islesburgh Community Centre last month heard from representatives from 12 community councils about the effect energy developments were having on their areas.
Attendees criticised the “piecemeal” approach to planning applications being presented and a lack of meaningful consultation with communities, while they said residents were not seeing any tangible financial benefits from the developments they were living with.
Andrew Archer is chairman of Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale Community Council and led the convention in August.
He said today (Friday) that change will only happen if Shetland’s elected politicians “change the rules around planning, community involvement and community wealth building”.
“I think that the message from community councils at the convention was that the current system is not working for Shetland’s communities,” Archer said.
“We need to pause and put a proper plan in place before it’s too late.
“Asking our politicians to support the statement is just one element, though. We have had quite a few people asking what the next steps are.
“Mark Burgess from Scalloway spoke at the event about the how we might be able to use the Islands Act to force the government to review the impact of all the developments in Shetland and we are starting to explore that now.”
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