Murdo has slammed ‘arrogant’ politicians at Westminster and Holyrood for trying to silence communities over new energy projects.
His comments come after Labour, the SNP and Reform’s representatives at Holyrood voted to strip local residents of their power to object to new wind farms, solar farms, battery storage units and mega-pylons blighting the landscape.
He said that this shows how out of touch John Swinney, Anas Sarwar and Nigel Farage’s politicians at Holyrood are, adding they have displayed utter contempt towards Scotland’s rural communities, whose voices must be heard and respected.
Murdo also said that this shocking decision, which only the Scottish Conservatives opposed, could lead to the permanent scarring of our countryside.
He added that they will continue to stand up for the people of Mid Scotland and Fife and demand that local residents have the final say when it comes to any new major developments.
Commenting, Murdo said: “Communities in the north-east and across Scotland are being shamefully silenced by arrogant politicians at Westminster and Holyrood.
“Local people are understandably alarmed at the prospect of mega pylons and vast battery storage sites scarring the countryside – yet Labour, the SNP and Reform have shamefully voted to strip them of their power to object to these proposals.
“John Swinney, Anas Sarwar and Nigel Farage’s politicians at Holyrood aren’t just out of touch with rural communities, they have displayed utter contempt towards them.
“This shocking decision, which only the Scottish Conservatives opposed, could lead to the mass industrialisation of rural Scotland.”
Murdo continued: “Local people deserve better than this. We will always listen to community concerns and demand they get the final say when it comes to any new major developments.”
Notes
Consenting of Electricity Infrastructure is devolved. The Scottish Government determines applications to construct electricity infrastructure – both generating stations over 50MW and network projects.
While Scottish Ministers are responsible for taking decisions under the Electricity Act 1989, the UK Parliament has responsibility for the legislative framework, as the powers to legislate for “generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity” are reserved.
