Push for greater planning democracy in Highlands

At the 2nd CC convention in August, MSPs and MPs across the political spectrum agreed to push for a “much-needed” debate in Holyrood and Westminster about renewable energy in the Highlands.

The second Community Councils Convention, held in Inverness, attracted more than 250 delegates, representing 60 community councils and about 80,000 residents. Seven MSPs – Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Jamie Halcro-Johnston and Tim Eagle (all Conservative), Emma Roddick and Maree Todd (SNP), and Fergus Ewing (Independent) – and four MPs – Torquil Crichton (Labour), Graham Leadbitter (SNP), Angus MacDonald and Jamie Stone (both Lib Dems) – were present to listen to the concerns expressed. The convention had been organised by Highland councillor Helen Crawford. 


The speakers’ interventions gravitated around the lack of socieconomic benefits for communities hosting these developments, alongside regionally widespread fuel poverty, and the need for more local planning democracy.


Asked about the the meeting, Maree Todd MSP said, “I have been engaging extensively with both the Scottish and UK Governments on a range of planning and regulatory matters. These discussions have centred around the issue of cumulative impact of developments on communities, the safety and regulation of Battery Energy Storage Systems, and the importance of meaningful and ongoing community engagement throughout the planning process. I remain committed to raising these issues at every opportunity, ensuring that the views and concerns of my constituents are clearly heard and given full weight in all decision-making. At the meeting, the 11 Highland MSPs and MPs present agreed to call for urgent debates in both the Scottish and UK Parliaments on the unified statement issued by the community councils at their last meeting in June. I have since written to the Minister for Parliamentary Business to request this.”


Jamie Stone MP said, “Many at the meeting made the hugely important point that we must have a mix of how we generate electricity - precisely to deal with the days that the wind doesn’t blow. I was very pleased by the positive reception to my comment that nuclear is crucial to this mix and that Caithness would welcome Rolls Royce’s proposed Advanced Modular Reactor in a heartbeat.”

This article is part of The Power Shift – a collaborative investigation by 10 independent, community-based publishers across Scotland, exploring the impact of the green energy transition on communities. Co-ordinated by the Scottish Beacon and supported by the Tenacious Journalism Awards, the project aims to amplify local voices, facilitate cross-community learning and push for fair, transparent energy development.