NEWS
CAMPAIGNERS SEEK WIND FARM SCRAPPING COMMITMENT FROM ELECTION CANDIDATES
Press release from Save Glen Lednock: not for publication until Thursday 23 April 2026
CAMPAIGNERS SEEK WIND FARM SCRAPPING COMMITMENT FROM ELECTION CANDIDATES
Following the recent furore over the controversial Cambushinnie electricity sub-station near Braco, campaigners are seeking commitments from local and regional Scottish Election candidates to press for the scrapping of the Glen Lednock and Glentarken wind farm plans. In a two-page letter – headlined ‘The wind farm threats to Perth & Kinross’ – to the five constituency candidates for the Perthshire South & Kinross-shire constituency and the top ‘regional list’ candidates of each of the five main parties, Save Glen Lednock outlines the arguments against the wind farms, and concludes:
‘We urge you to take a principled and practical stand, and, if elected, press the next Scottish Government to scrap these ugly, unnecessary industrial developments that will blight our unique landscape. Save Glen Lednock will publicise via the media, before the election, every candidate who makes that commitment to protect our landscape for the future.’
Martin Downing of the Save Glen Lednock campaign commented:
‘Politicians need to recognise that there is massive public opposition to these gigantic, intrusive schemes, which would dominate our landscape and threaten precious wildlife, both of which are valued so much by the local community.’
‘These developments – and other energy proposals mooted along the iconic Highland Boundary Fault – threaten the long-term sustainability of the Strathearn and wider Scottish tourism industries, based as they are on unspoilt rural landscapes.’
The letter highlights the flawed nature of the wind farm planning applications, described as ‘not fit for purpose’ by statutory consultee, Nature Scot. Martin Downing also points out that neither application has included the critical grid connection, which has led to a Borders wind farm application being thrown out following the ‘Raeshaw Farms’ case at the Court of Session in February:
‘The Raeshaw Farms case has massive implications for the Glen Lednock and Glentarken proposals. The only mention of the grid connections in the planning applications are brief paragraphs stating that they would be connected to the Killin substation. Bearing in mind that these connections would cross miles of sensitive upland landscapes adjacent to the National Park and National Scenic Areas, it is completely illogical that the impacts of these connections have not been considered as part of the wind farm applications.’
The legal case has also been the driver for Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) recently overturning their decision to approve the application from SSE for the Cambushinnie sub-station, near Braco. Following the threat of a judicial review from objectors, in a briefing to elected members [1] PKC’s legal chief, Lisa Simpson, stated:
‘The Raeshaw Farms judgment has wider implications for planning authorities across Scotland….. it does indicate that a more cautious and clearly reasoned approach is required when considering whether related developments should be assessed together for EIA purpose.’
More info: Martin Downing on 07909-964456
Notes for editors:
[1] PKC briefing to elected members on Cambushinnie application: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/25275/Elected-Member-Briefing-Braco-Planning-Applications
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