Latest news with #HelenCrawford
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Tories demand Highlands pylon & turbine pause
Residents raised concerns over the industrialisation of the Highlands, noting that 'no financial compensation can ever replace what we stand to lose'. Mr Findlay has said the Scottish Government must engage with stakeholders and come up with a way to protect the countryside from being damaged by infrastructure. He said: 'Those who have to live in the shadow of overdevelopment are all too often ignored by Scotland's planning system. 'The SNP and Labour have both acted to curtail public opinion in relation to the building of new pylons, transformers and battery farms, so the voices of rural communities are not being heard.' Mr Findlay also praised the work of Aird and Loch Ness councillor Helen Crawford, who set up the convention. He noted: 'The SNP and Labour have both acted to curtail public opinion in relation to the building of new pylons, transformers and battery farms, so the voices of rural communities are not being heard. 'That's why Helen Crawford's work in establishing the Highland convention is so important. 'I wholeheartedly support the unified statement issued at the convention, and my party will do everything it can to seek an urgent debate on it in Holyrood.' Read more: Forbes under fire for Scots energy project crisis summit absence Coalition to push for ministers answers over Scots energy projects pause call Ministers in international law breach row by snubbing Scots energy projects summit At the meeting, community councillors representing more than 72,000 people called on the Scottish Government to pause a 'barrage' of major renewable energy proposals, expressing concerns over the 700 live planning applications submitted to Highland Council. 11 cross-party MSPs and MPs were present at the summit, although Climate and Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and Under-Secretary of State for Energy Michael Shanks both declined to attend. The convention's 'unified statement' calls for a pause on all major applications, "given the impact upon our communities which may hasten depopulation in some areas until a clear national energy policy is in place and an economic impact assessment is undertaken given that tourism is currently the backbone of The Highland economy". Mr Findlay added: 'During my ongoing tour of communities across Scotland, and after discussions with Helen, it is clear an unjust energy transition risks harming vast swathes of Scots. 'The SNP's energy strategy, already three years late, must be published immediately and they need to rethink their misguided policy of scrapping local planning inquiries. 'A temporary pause to ensure we get this right is common sense.'
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
MPs and MSPs commit to debates on Highland energy projects pause
A convention of community councils organised by Aird and Loch Ness councillor Helen Crawford (Conservative) was held at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on Tuesday. It follows a meeting in June, where more than 50 community councils came together to demand a pause on energy infrastructure projects across the Highlands. The convention, representing more than 72,000 people, is collectively calling for an immediate pause on major energy applications until their cumulative impact can be fully assessed. READ MORE: Fringe reviews: Florence, One Man Poe, Zoe Coombs Marr and more The groups stress they are not against renewables, but are seeking further investigation into the impact on the Highlands. Scotland's Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and the UK Government's Energy Minister Michael Shanks turned down the invitation to attend. MPs and MSPs from the SNP, Labour, Conservatives and LibDems attended, alongside several Highland councillors. The political representatives were as follows: Angus Macdonald MP (LibDems) Douglas Ross MSP (Conservative) Edward Mountain MSP (Conservative) Emma Roddick MSP (SNP) Fergus Ewing MSP (Independent) Graham Leadbitter MP (SNP) Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP (Conservative) Jamie Stone MP (LibDems) Maree Todd MSP (SNP) Tim Eagle MSP (Conservative) Torcuil Crichton MP (Labour) The 11 representatives signed a statement which laid out two intentions. The statement reads: "We, the undersigned Highland MSPs and MPs: Recognise and value local democracy and the pivotal role of all out Community Councils in ensuring that democracy is respected, and Undertake to do all that we can across our representative parties to secure urgent debates at both Holyrood and in the House of Commons at Wednesday on the attached Unified Statement of the Highland Convention of Community Council dated 14th June 2025." Highland councillor Crawford, who is chairwoman of the community council convention, is a former lawyer and has said parliamentary debates would force ministers to defend policies. "This is a way to get ministers to address the issues when they previously have not," Crawford said following the signing. "Of course not everyone shares the same view, but this is a growing movement because people want this and need this conversation to happen. "The statement is not perfect. But it's a real attempt to address where the whole process has gone wrong and, let me be frank, this is not simply a local failure, it's a national failure to address what's going on. "This clearly needs to go to Westminster and it needs to go to Holyrood."
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Coalition push for ministers answers after energy project summit snub
It comes after both Scottish energy secretary Gillian Martin and UK energy minister and Rutherglen MP Michael Shanks 'snubbed' an invitation to attend a summit in Inverness on Tuesday attended by around 300 people. Ms Martin's office told the convention in a letter that "in terms of the ministerial code, it would not be appropriate to discuss matters pertaining to live applications or proposals which could come before a live application for consent". A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero source said Mr Shanks had turned the convention down as planning of development was devolved to the Scottish Government, although the convention wanted to talk about policy. The convention's 'unified statement' calls for a pause on all major applications, " given the impact upon our communities which may hasten depopulation in some areas until a clear national energy policy is in place and an economic impact assessment is undertaken given that tourism is currently the backbone of The Highland economy". It opposes "unjust and unnecessary industrialisation of the Highlands" and says the Scottish Government should undertake an inquiry to address the cumulative impact of all major renewable energy infrastructure developments. The group also called on elected members to urgent support and protect communities at national level "given that community consultation is inadequate and local democracy is being overridden..." The group of 11 MPs and MSPs have now signed off on an undertaking to move to secure parliamentary debates on the statement. There were estimated to be 700 live applications in the Highland Council area alone earlier this month ranging from wind and hydro projects to energy storage and transmission grid plans. The signed agreement (Image: Helen Crawford) Highland councillor Helen Crawford, who is chairman community council convention and is a former lawyer said parliamentary debates would force ministers to defend policies. "This is a way to get ministers to address the issues when they previously have not," said Ms Crawford. "Of course not everyone shares the same view, but this is a growing movement because people want this and need this conversation to happen. "The statement is not perfect. But it's a real attempt to address where the whole process has gone wrong and, let me be frank, this is not simply a local failure, it's a national failure to address what's going on.! She added: "This clearly needs to go to Westminster and it needs to go to Holyrood." Those signing off on the undertaking also included SNP MP Graham Leadbitter, Scottish Conservative MSPs Jamie Halcro Johnston, Edward Mountain, Tim Eagle and Douglas Ross as well as Liberal Democrat MPs Jamie Stone and Angus MacDonald and Independent MSP Fergus Ewing. Among the most controversial of the energy plans is a so-called 'super-pylon' proposal which was to run for over 100 miles across some of Highlands and Aberdeenshire's most picturesque areas to enable 'significant' growth of renewable energy and support transition away from fossil fuels. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission, which owns, operates and develops the high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and islands unveiled the strategy three years ago which it says was a 'critical project of national significance' as it has been identified as 'essential' to deliver government targets for offshore wind. The project at that point was to involve building a new 400kV overhead line connection - or energy motorway - between Beauly, Blackhillock, New Deer and Peterhead to enable the transmission of renewable power into the network for onward transmission to 'areas of demand further south'. Mr Eagle said: "It really is well past time that ministers and other decision-makers in Holyrood started listening to people here in the Highlands. We have been ignored for far too long."
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Highlands renewables debate set for Westminster and Holyrood after 11 politicians back 'urgent calls'
Momentum is building to put pressure on the UK and Scottish Governments to debate the future of renewable projects in the Highlands. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A convention calling for 'urgent debate' on renewable energy projects in the Highlands has won backing from eleven politicians. Some 57 community councils gathered in Inverness to encourage policy makers to take residents' concerns to Holyrood and Westminster. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The packed-out convention on Tuesday was the second of its kind. Hundreds from community councils across the Highlands gather with MPs and MSPs at a convention on renewable energy projects in the Highlands | Supplied The event's aim was to persuade policy makers to recognise the value of community councils and their role in local democracy and to push for 'urgent debates' on Net Zero-related projects in the Highlands in the debating chambers in both Edinburgh and London. Follow Hay's Way updates via Katharine's Instagram page and by signing up to her free Scotsman Rural newsletter here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Eleven MSPs and MPs in attendance signed a statement backing the move, including Labour MP Torcuil Crichton, SNP MSPs Maree Todd Emma Roddick, Scottish Conservative MSPs Edward Mountain and Douglas Ross, Tim Eagle, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Lib Dems Angus MacDonald and Jamie Stone and Independent MSP Fergus Ewing. The signed document included calls for the Scottish Government to undertake a planning inquiry commission to address the cumulative impact of all major renewable energy infrastructure developments and a pause on all applications until a clear national energy policy is in place and an economic impact assessment undertaken. Conservative councillor Helen Crawford, who has led both conventions, said the community councils represented recognise the impact of climate change but 'oppose an unjust and unnecessary industrialisation of the Highlands.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Helen Crawford and the statement signed by eleven MSPs and MPs to secure "urgent debates" at both Holyrood and Westminster | Helen Crawford Speaking to The Scotsman after the event, Ms Crawford said: 'The convention was a step forward for local democracy. 'I'm delighted that this important communique, which I drafted after listening to community councils for many months, has been signed cross-party by 11 Highland MPs and MSPs. 'That's a significant cross-party commitment to respect local democracy and get the convention's unified statement debated urgently in both Holyrood and Westminster. 'It's now up to our MPs and MSPs to secure those debates. And to fully address the need for a pan Scotland Planning Inquiry Commission so that the full cumulative impact of all of these major energy applications can be assessed, rather than the current piece meal approach. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And to pause while both Governments do their homework - and publish a standalone, holistic national energy policy.' It comes after John Swinney responded to a letter signed by 40 different community groups across Scotland calling for a moratorium on major renewable developments. The first minister rejected these calls, saying there is 'a pressing need to increase our renewable generation capacity', with electricity demand expected to increase. Last week, the UK Government announced those living near new pylons, including Scots, would receive £250 off energy bills each year for a decade under UK government plans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is launching a consultation into proposals included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to provide payments to households affected by the new pylon developments. Households within 500m - a third of a mile - of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure could receive a discount of up to £250 via their electricity bill every year for ten years, totalling £2,500. The discounts, which would be assigned to the home, and applied to the occupant, could be provided in instalments of £125 every six months.
Scotsman
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
11 politicians attend Highland community renewables convention after 'absurd' snub by energy ministers
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Politicians from across the Highlands and Islands will descend on a meeting spotlighting residents' concerns about the renewable energy boom, as a decision by ministers to snub the conference was branded 'absurd'. Some 11 MSPs and MPs of all political stripes will join more than 50 community councils representing more than 75,000 residents across the region at a convention in Inverness next week. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin and energy minister for the UK government Michael Shanks were invited, but both turned down the invitation. The event, organised by Scottish Conservative councillor Helen Crawford, comes as momentum has been building among community councils and campaigners across the Highlands and Islands to put pressure on the Scottish Government to pause 'a barrage of major energy infrastructure applications' across the region. Cllr Helen Crawford at Balblair Substation by Beauly | Cllr Helen Crawford There are 1,300 applications at present in the Highland Council area alone, Cllr Crawford said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Residents and members of local community councils gathered at the last Community Council Convention near Beauly in June. | Supplied Earlier this year, an interactive map showing all major developments related to renewable energy in the Scottish Highlands, from what exists on the ground to others that are in planning process, went live. An interactive map showing all major developments related to renewable energy in the Scottish Highlands which is live on the Highland Council website | Highland Council The digital feature, which came after Cllr Crawford, of the Aird and Highland Ward, lodged a motion last year calling for a real-time map of such developments, includes pump storage, wind farm, transmission grid, substations and convertor infrastructure. Hydro and other relevant developments are also listed across the local authority area. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Politicians due to attend the convention, which will be held at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness, include SNP MSPs Maree Todd, Emma Roddick and Graham Leadbitter; Liberal Democrat MSPs Jamie Stone and Angus MacDonald; Scottish Conservative MSPs Edward Mountain, Tim Eagle, Jamie Halcro Johnston and Douglas Ross; Labour MP Torcuil Crichton; and Independent MSP Fergus Ewing. Turning down Ms Martin's invite, the Scottish Government said it would be 'inappropriate for Scottish ministers to comment on live planning applications'. In a rejection letter to the community, Mr Shanks said decisions on consenting for large energy infrastructure, planning framework and cumulative impact sat with the Scottish Government and therefore 'it would not be appropriate to comment'. Energy Secretary Gillian Martin | PA Cllr Crawford said: 'We are not there to discuss individual live planning applications. We are there to discuss a general direction of travel and a unified statement regarding that direction of travel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We have an absurd scenario when the UK energy minister and Scottish energy secretary cannot speak to communities about energy. It's actually incredible. It's worthy of a new episode of Yes Minister.' Cllr Crawford said she hoped the politicians attending responded to a unified statement issued by the convention of community councils. The statement explains members recognise the impact of climate change on the planet, but oppose 'an unjust and unnecessary industrialisation of the Highlands'. The wording calls for a pause on all major applications until a national energy policy is in place, with an economic impact assessment of such developments on the area. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Scotland has some of the most stringent environmental impact regulations anywhere in the world, with communities able to have their say in our planning and consenting systems. We consult a range of public bodies and applications are subject to site-specific assessments, including impacts on local communities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It would be inappropriate for Scottish ministers to comment on any live applications.' The event comes as a local group fighting plans for a wind farm in Sutherland won a legal victory after Scotland's highest civil court quashed government approval for the project. The Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that ministers had failed to give adequate reasons for approving the Strath Oykel wind farm near Rosehall. The development had received more than 150 objections, was unanimously objected to by Highland Council and went through a public inquiry, in which the government reporter recommended the project be refused.
