Speaking at today’s Cabinet meeting, at which a paper objecting to the Aikengall 2A wind farm was upheld by 5 votes to 1, Cllr Michael Veitch said:
“As is well known, I am strongly opposed to the ongoing expansion of turbines in the Lammermuir Hills.
“I am delighted with the tough planning guidance for wind farms over 12mw which the Cabinet approved in December 2013, which was very much in line with the unambiguous statement in the Administration’s Council Plan to ensure the stricter regulation of turbines.
“None the less, there remains huge pressure from developers and regrettably we are now seeing a steady stream of applications for an ever increasing number of turbines in the Lammermuirs and surrounding countryside.
“It is worth repeating that our countryside is our greatest asset in East Lothian, both in terms of attracting people to live here and to visit and spend their money.
And while wind turbines can play a part in helping to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, this must not come at the cost of industrialising vast swathes of our open, green spaces. To do so on alleged environmental grounds is perverse in the extreme.
“Turning to Aikengall 2A, my first comment would be that the very name is confusing, for in my mind ‘2A’ creates the impression that this development is merely a phase of Aikengall 2 which is now under construction. This is not the case. This is a separate development thus ‘Aikengall 3’ would be a better name.
“East Lothian Council previously objected to Aikengall 2A under a delegated decision which I welcome. The applicant then put in for an amended scheme which removed three of the turbines in East Lothian, which is commendable.
“None the less, in my view any further extension to Aikengall must now be considered unacceptable, and I am therefore delighted that the paper before us today recommends that members object to the application.”