Sir – Traditional Highland estates have historically argued against substantive development which benefits indigenous locals, on the premise that the owners are custodians, chosen to have the land entrusted into their care for the far-away future.
Now we find that these very same owners are jumping on the renewables bandwagon to profit from wind farms.
With the recent publication of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report into the community impacts of wind farm developments, it is clear that the social justice implications are what ought to be at the forefront of the collective consciousness.
In consequence, I propose an amendment to the land reform legislation which provides that if a landowner seeks to execute a material change of use away from traditional sporting and benign activity, then this crystallizes a community right-to-buy.
As always, we have an obligation to bring matters back into balance
Alan McLeod
Benview
Brora
