Sustainable Shetland claims victory

Campaign group Sustainable Shetland is claiming a major victory against the Scottish government today, after a judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh indicated that the decision to grant consent to the Viking Energy windfarm would be quashed.

According to a statement released by the group this afternoon: “Lady Clark of Calton held that the decision to grant consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 was incompetent because Viking Energy Partnership did not have a licence to generate electricity”.

The statement also claims that Sustainable Shetland’s legal fees will be covered by Scottish ministers.

The group’s chairman Frank Hay said: “This ruling is hugely important. We have always felt that this project was wrong for Shetland – a belief upheld by our own planning department, who advised that Shetland Islands Council should recommend refusal to the consent.

“We are heartened by today’s outcome, which reflects months of hard work by all concerned.”

However, Viking Energy has declined to comment on the ruling, stating that “Lady Clark has not yet issued her interlocutor, which is the detail of her decision”.

It is expected that the details of this decision will be confirmed tomorrow. If confirmed, all parties will have 21 days to decide whether or not to appeal the ruling. 

COMMENTS(3)

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  • john russell

    • October 3rd, 2013 13:22

    that must be very good news for the people of shetland if these wind mills dont come it will spoil the landscape and wont be very good for visitors to the islands and will save a awful upheval during the construction the land will be ripped up massive roads made for access then theres the moveing the large parts from the port to the site will need some alterations to the main roads i have been on a good few of the sites down here in the north east and north and south of inverness due to my work as a hgv driver delivering fencing material that has to surround these sites to keep out people and wild animals deer ect they fair make a blot on the sky line in some of the bonniest places keep them out

    REPLY
  • rosa steppanova

    • October 3rd, 2013 19:44

    “No comment” from the Gutters’ Hut (VEP). Could this be the reason?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d27hPy38EyI

    REPLY
  • Sandy McMillan

    • October 3rd, 2013 20:07

    When is Viking Energy, and the Council going to get it between there lugs, that the wind farms are not wanted,
    If VE and the Council want to help with a greener Shetland and Scotland, get cash from the Shetland Charitable Trust, to buy a few bags of grass seed, Then get Councillors Ratter and Wills to get out and spread it around Shetland, no better way to help Shetland become a greener place.

    REPLY

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