An MSP has been accused of being obsessed with windfarms and of a “bizarre outburst” over the financial benefits of turbines to rural communities.
Anti-turbine campaigner Murdo Fraser said community cash funds generated by windfarms sometimes amounted to “an outright bribe to ease the passage of turbine planning applications”.
Developers rejected the criticism, saying that the funds which now distribute around £5 million each year in Scotland were completely voluntary and were not taken into consideration by councils when considering planning applications.
MP for Perth and North Perthshire, Pete Wishart, took exception to Mr Fraser’s remarks and has called on the Conservative MSP to apologise for implying local communities had basically accepted bribes from wind power companies.
“Windfarm developments can attract controversy, there is no doubt about that,” said Mr Wishart.
“I do not support every one that comes along, but I believe that each should be considered on its own merits. Murdo Fraser, though, is opposed to all windfarms on principle, and his determination to stop all development is now bordering on an obsession.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and Mr Fraser is no exception, but with his extraordinary comments he has clearly overstepped the line.
“His bizarre outburst has no doubt caused offence and he now owes an apology to communities across Perthshire.
“His suggestion that those communities in Perthshire who have benefited from agreements with developers have been in receipt of ‘sweeteners’ or ‘in some cases an outright bribe’ is a scurrilous one and an outrageous slur on everyone involved.
“Murdo Fraser must withdraw those appalling remarks immediately and issue an unreserved apology to the good people of Perthshire.
“Perhaps his party leader, David Cameron, should have a word with him, given that the Prime Minister’s father-in-law is reportedly earning £350,000 a year from a windfarm on his estate near Scunthorpe.”
Power company SSE defended the community funds saying: “The company has an open and transparent policy on the allocation of funding and we do not enter into any discussions regarding the eligibility of communities until after planning decisions have been made.
“SSE has provided around £13 million to community projects since 2002, including nearly £1 million in the Perthshire area alone.
“This funding included a grant of over £100,000 towards the construction of The Birks community cinema in Aberfeldy and a £20,000 award to Tayside Mountain Rescue, which was put towards the cost of a new 4×4 rescue vehicle.”