MSP backs meeting moratorium calls

SOUTH of Scotland MSP Craig Hoy has attended a Holyrood meeting of community council representatives from across Scotland where support was expressed for a moratorium on energy projects. Last year Mr Hoy called on the Scottish First Minister to back his demand for a moratorium on all onshore renewables. At the latest event, Mr Hoy gave his full support to the unified statement and backed wider calls for action on damaging wind, solar, battery and pylon development. He also gave a cast-iron commitment to support a joint-statement covering the South of Scotland, which is expected to be set out next month at meetings likely to take place in the Scottish Borders and Dumfriesshire. The statement calls on the SNP Government to create a clear national energy policy, pause major energy applications until that plan exists and ensure that democratic consent and respect for local voices are at the forefront of all applications. Mr Hoy said: "I am pleased there is a unity among many of Scotland’s community councils that their voice and the voice of local residents is the most important thing when it comes to energy applications. “I have been campaigning on this issue and have called for an immediate moratorium on large- scale energy projects until there is a clear strategy in place to make sure residents are not worn down by repeated applications from giant energy companies. “The industrialisation of our countryside cannot be allowed to happen, and we need an energy plan that incorporates new nuclear and other clean energy sources, as well as harnessing Scotland’s renewable energy in a sympathetic manner.”