So the fight against plans for new coal at Hunterson is over. It's been one of the campaigns that has been running throughout the course of this blog and it has been aimed at preventing the development of a new coal-fired power plant at Hunterston on the Clyde.
Recently the level of public and political opposition to the proposal has become clear and yesterday Peel Holdings withdrew the application. We welcome this decision - though there is still more to do protect the coastal environment so recently threatened by the unsustainable Hunterston plans.
This has been a long haul and at the beginning planning policy and political support seemed ranged against us. Here's an earlier post from two year's ago - and another highlighting one of the high points of the campaign - a massive sand sculpture.
Aedán Smith, Head of Planning and Development at RSPB Scotland said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. This unnecessary and hugely unpopular proposal would have completely destroyed part of a nationally important wildlife site and seriously undermined Scotland’s ambitions to be a world leader on climate change.“Although it is disappointing that any developer would even consider such a damaging proposal, we are pleased that Peel have finally recognised the absurdity of these plans and made a sound decision that will save everybody the further time and expense of fighting them. Hopefully we can now focus on delivering the cuts in greenhouse gas emissions we urgently require instead of arguing about this outdated project.“We would be happy to work with Peel and others to ensure that Scotland’s energy needs can be met through developing energy sustainably and in the right places, and the important wildlife of the Hunterston site can be safeguarded in future.”The Say No to Hunterston Campaign is a coalition of organisations (listed below) and local people:
The Site of Special Scientific Interest at the heart of the campaign remains vulnerable – though the immediate threat has now been removed. We’re determined that the final piece in the jigsaw is now put in place and proper protection is given to Portencross Coast SSSI
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