A conservation charity in Scotland’s first national park has made a ‘radical’ shift towards supporting large scale renewable energy projects.
The Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs has often opposed large scale schemes which it felt might damage landscapes in the national park.
But Helensburgh resident John Urquhart, who took over as chairman earlier this year, said they had changed their approach so think locally and act globally.
“Global warming is creating new imperatives,” he added.
“As a conservation charity, we have a duty to react.
“I have no doubt we have an important role to play in addressing the issues which are being created at our local level.”
He said the group had already supported small scale community-based renewable projects, such as the hydro-electric projects at Callander, Lochgoilhead and Arrochar, but now needed to reconsider its position on larger schemes.
Trustees have agreed a policy that includes:
- Very large wind turbines and photovoltaic schemes as well as energy storage facilities such as pumped storage schemes and battery installations, sited in appropriate locations on the edge of (and perhaps in certain special circumstances, in carefully selected areas, even within) the national park need not be unduly detrimental to the park’s special qualities.
- A share of income from such developments can create substantial benefits and opportunities for visitors, communities and nature, such as support for the rapid introduction of a modern low carbon park-wide public transport system.
- Taking a leadership role in recognising the importance of renewable energy and storage systems and should actively encourage and facilitate their development on appropriate sites in and around the park.
The statement adds: “Without doubt this is a radical departure for the Friends, but the trustees believe the current circumstances give them little option.
“Nonetheless, for some, it remains a controversial matter, so we have asked our members to make sure we have their backing. To date, only 5% have voiced dissent.
“The Friends was set up almost half a century ago to fight plans for a pumped storage hydro-electric installation which was to be built inside Ben Lomond.
“Their campaign was successful and the Ben Lomond scheme was never built.
“Nowadays energy planners would give their eye teeth to have such a facility – and had it been built, the road access to Strathard and Rowardennan would doubtless now be so much better!”
The “Friends” of Loch Lomond and Trossachs have never been a conservation charity. Their activities in the past are proof of that. They represent business interests within the park area with little interest in protecting ecosystems. This recent announcement is proof of that but is nothing more than greenwashing nonsense.