A Fife MSP is seeking urgent talks with a Government minister over fears a major windfarm extension could be approved “by the back door”.
Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley voiced his concerns over the way Kennedy Renewables has handled its proposal to nearly double the number of turbines on Little Raith windfarm overlooking Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly.
Having had a detailed timeline of how Fife Council handled the planning application, he fears the company is now removing the whole application from the democratic process by appealing for its determination and approval by the Scottish Government.
“If this were to happen then it would be a travesty against democracy,” Mr Rowley said.
The saga started in March 2014 at pre-application discussions when Fife Council officers told the developer they felt they could not support the plans.
Kennedy submitted the application with the four-month target date set for last November. The council started the process and Scottish Natural Heritage and environmental protection services said they could not support the plans.
That led to the applicant submitting more information, but this did not change the officers’ recommendation to refuse.
A further meeting was held with Kennedy when it was again stressed the plans could not be supported and they would come before central and west Fife planning committees after the Christmas break.
But then the applicant exercised its right of appeal for non-determination on December 24.
This appeal is under way.
Kennedy Renewables were unavailable for comment.