MSP Maree Todd to attend second No Ring of Steel meeting at Ardgay on Friday
A Sutherland wind farm campaign group will hold a second meeting on Friday in the presence of constituency MSP Maree Todd.
Rosehall-based No Ring of Steel (NORoS) held a first meeting in Bonar Bridge in February, where Ms Todd was briefed on growing local concern over the proliferation of renewable energy developments in the Kyle of Sutherland area.
The SNP MSP agreed to take on board a number of issues raised and promised to return to update the community on her efforts.
In particular, she said she would seek a clearer definition of how “cumulative impact” is interpreted in the legal framework under which planning decisions are made.
She also agreed to look at how the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) could be made a statutory consultee on applications for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
And she agreed to try to facilitate a meeting at Holyrood between NORoS members and local people and the relevant ministers.
Ms Todd told the February meeting. “I think there is a real case for a better understanding of the cumulative impact (of renewable energy developments).
“This community has not always objected to wind farms; it is simply the number of wind farms that is the cause for concern now.
“I believe there needs to be balance. I think there is space in Scotland if you want to develop renewable energy projects. It does not have to be concentrated in this area. It is possible to achieve a balance.”
Friday’s meeting will be held in Ardgay Public Hall from 7pm-8pm with doors opening at 6.30pm.
It will again be chaired by Tisi Dutton, who has also organised the meeting on behalf of NORoS.
