Censuring of campaigners’ leaflets casts doubt over refusal to back 59-turbine scheme
Windfarm developer urges council to reconsider decision
Published:
A windfarm developer last night said “unsubstantiated” claims exposed on protest leaflets had cast doubt on Moray Council’s refusal to back its 59-turbine scheme.
The Advertising Authority’s ruling this week challenged the Save Our Scenic Moray group’s circular and said it “sought to influence readers’ views”.
Renewable energy company Infinergy said the ruling raised questions about whether or not the local authority had reached the right decision last month when it referred the Dorenell proposal to a costly public inquiry.
The claim was dismissed by Moray Council’s planning committee chairman Stewart Cree, who said he had deliberately distanced himself from all forms of lobbying.
Infinergy’s chief executive Charles Sandham called on the council to reconsider its decision.
He said: “We feel vindicated that SOS Moray’s scare-mongering allegations have been exposed as baseless.
“In calling a public inquiry that will be both expensive and time consuming, it is a pity that, in all likeli- hood, both Moray planning officers and the planning committee have been unduly influenced by letters of objection written in response to falsehoods peddled by SOS Moray.”
Mr Cree said he did not see the campaign leaflet so could not have been influenced by it.
“I did not see that advertising, that is the bottom line,” he said.
“My decision was wholly based on the information that was placed before me on the day. I refused to go to any lobbying by either side and I tried to maintain an impartiality that the public would expect,” he added.
