A storm erupted yesterday after a councillor with shares in a windfarm was allowed to speak in favour of another planning application for 22 giant turbines.
Highland Council previously banned other councillors from speaking on applications because they oppose windfarms.
Two serving councillors and a retired member, last night were furious, and an anti windfarm campaigner said the matter should be investigated by the Standards Commission for Scotland for a potential breach of the councillors’ code of conduct.
Councillor Linda Munro told the north area planning meeting she owned shares in the Bettyhill Windfarm, 23 miles farther north but was allowed to contribute to the debate, and supported the proposed Creag Riabhach development on Altnaharra Estate in Sutherland.
“Although that has absolutely no impact on this application, I think it’s fair to tell members that,” Councillor Munro said.
While “mindful” of the environmental impact of such a massive development, she went on to support the Altnaharra scheme on the basis of the local community’s economic gain.
North area planning committee members nodded it through, but the application will be decided by Scottish Government ministers due to its size.
Councillor Jim Crawford, banned from speaking about turbines because of his public opposition to them, said: “If Linda Munro has shares in windfarms she’s obviously approving of them. She should have been halted from speaking.”
Councillor Andrew Baxter, who was also gagged, said: “It’s staggering that a councillor with a clear-cut interest was allowed to speak and potentially influence the decision.”
Retired councillor David Henderson, who was previously barred from such debate, said: “It’s indefensible.”
Anti windfarm campaigner Lyndsey Ward of Beauly said: “There needs to be an investigation as to why someone who admits to having a financial interest in a windfarm, and therefore supports the industry, is permitted to speak in favour of another at a planning meeting.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The cases of councillors Munro and Crawford are different. Councillor Munro has not taken a public stance for or against the principle of windfarms.
“Councillor Munro is not a shareholder in the company whose application was being determined. As a non member of the committee, Councillor Munro knew she would not be taking part in any vote.”