LOCAL communities should be given a veto over new energy projects, the Tories have insisted, amid fears that ministers are “ignoring their concerns”.
Scottish Conservative energy and net zero spokesperson Douglas Lumsden called for there to be a guarantee that “local communities will always be able to call a halt to such projects if they do not meet local needs”.
He made the demand as he accused both the SNP government at Holyrood and the Labour administration at Westminster of being “totally disconnected” from the views of those living in areas where new energy projects – including battery storage facilities and new pylons – are proposed.
The Conservatives are to challenge the Scottish Government on the issue at a debate in Holyrood on Wednesday.
It comes as the UK Government is working towards reforming the planning process south of the border and speeding up grid connections as part of its efforts to make the UK a “clean energy superpower”.
However, Mr Lumsden claimed: “Communities up and down Scotland feel they are being silenced by both the SNP and Labour governments when it comes to new energy projects being approved.
“Despite the widespread opposition of local people, ministers in both governments are routinely ignoring their concerns.”
Insisting that it is “only the Scottish Conservatives who are standing up for local communities and their right to have a say in the planning process”, the Tory MSP insisted that local views should be “front and centre” when proposals are being considered for planning consent, and that communities “should still have a veto when it comes to giving projects the green light”.
Mr Lumsden, an MSP for the North East region, stated that communities in that area “are deeply concerned that the changes put forward will mean governments ride roughshod over their views”.
He added: “The SNP and Labour are totally disconnected from those living in areas where new energy projects, such as pylons, battery storage facilities and substations, are proposed.
“Both parties should show common sense and commit to exploring alternative solutions. That means backing our calls to guarantee local communities will always be able to call a halt to such projects if they do not meet local needs.”
The Scottish and UK governments have been contacted for comment.
