‘Highland objectors have had enough’: fighting back against ‘Big Energy’
Government must be held to account
The recent publication of Highland Council’s Big Energy map made sobering viewing.
Over a decade ago the then Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) produced an annual windfarm map – nothing like the one we see today but alarming enough for the press to publish and show readers how the devastation was creeping across the Highlands.
There was outrage as more people became alerted to how the Highlands were turning into one giant wind factory by stealth.
After a couple of years, in 2014, SNH no longer produced the map. We were informed the Scottish Government was “taking over” its updating and publication. It never happened and repeated requests for an update fell on deaf ears.
We were then promised Wild Land protection from industrialisation. That has now fallen by the wayside along with the hopes and dreams of those who made the Highlands their home, raised their families and where they work.
What we have now is simply astonishing. Ministers talk to Big Energy but not to campaigners.
We have recently discovered that Big Energy is permitted by the government and local councils to NOT address human health impacts in their Environmental Impact Assessment reports. Is it because they don’t want to be held liable if their developments cause us or our children illness?
We know that multinationals have been held to account previously and successfully sued for millions for damaging the health of citizens because they put profit before people.
If folk can’t get justice from those responsible because the authorities gave them a ‘Get Out OF Jail Free’ card then they will be going after the councils and government instead.
Highland protectors not objectors have had enough. They fought to get their map in the public domain, albeit still lacking some developments, and now realise the only way to stop this rogue and power crazy government is through the courts.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride to hold these charlatans to account but we fully intend to throw a legal stinger under the wheels of Big Energy’s gravy train.
Lyndsey Ward
Communities B4 Power Companies
Beauly
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