RSPB Scotland has expressed its disappointment at South Ayrshire Cooncil’s (*) decision to approve consent for a wind farm near a protected wildlife site.
The conservation charity believes that the Scottish Power Renewables proposals for a wind farm north-east of Cairnryan could have an adverse impact on important populations of hen harrier.
Scottish Power Renewables gets thumbs-up for new Ayrshire windfarm – Scottish Energy News (4 Jun 2015) – http://goo.gl/Zqzo8D
Chris Rollie, RSPB Scotland Area Conservation Manager, said: “We are concerned by the council’s decision to grant consent for this windfarm. We have made it clear from the outset that this is a sensitive site.
“Hen harrier populations across the UK are really under threat and protected sites such as this one should provide safe refuges for this species. We are particularly surprised and disappointed by SNH’s decision to withdraw their objection.
“Although RSPB Scotland supports renewable energy developments to combat climate change, there are alternative, less potentially damaging sites elsewhere in Scotland’.
* ‘Cooncil’ is the Scottish language word for ‘council’ and is not pejorative:
Dictionar o’ the Scots Leid / Dictionary of the Scots Language – http://goo.gl/7xo5Bk