K+2

No news.

Jussi is getting used to Bonnie's snoring and reckons she's getting good nights sleep in the stables - but I still hold out hope that it's not to become a permanent move.

Yesterday was a beautiful day and I was out taking part in democracy. Highland Council Planning Committee came to the village to consider a planning application for a 'wind farm' (two turbines, total capacity 5MW).

The proposal is to put the turbines on a part of the common grazing. We are trying to secure our share of this common grazing - (we've still not got it!). If we get the share, we'll get a share of the rent to be paid by the wind farm developers. So I'm even more biased than I usually am.

The day started with a convoy of cars traipsing about and stopping to look at the views. The Council members had photo-montages showing the impact the turbines will have on the views and at each stop there was great discussion about how poor the montages were. It was a beautiful day as I say, which was beautiful but slightly disappointing for those of us in favour of the proposal. I mean on a clear day there will be quite an impact. But there are very few clear days hereabouts.

Then we went to the meeting proper, which was in the village hall. The Councillors sat at tables laid out in horse-shoe fashion, everyone was microphoned up and it was all rather cure really. Pompous Councillors do exist - but these guys, on public display, tried very hard to ask intelligent questions and to look like they cared a great deal about the decision they had the duty to make. Aw sweeeeet!

The meeting (which was constantly interrupted by the Council solicitor warning Councillors about procedure and what they were and were not allowed to ask/say) commenced with a detailed description of the proposal from the planning officer, followed by questions from the Councillors. There were then presentations from the proposers and supporters (the grazing committee) followed by questions from Councillors. Then the objectors had their say.

Like I say I'm a tad biased. But the objectors were intensely irritating and stupid. One of the main points was that it was silly to generate electricity in the north of Scotland and export it all the way down Birmingham, which, according to them is where the power would be consumed. Thus displaying a stunning lack of understanding of how the grid operates.

Another objector, from the community council, raised all sorts of issues about access to the land for peat cutting - an extra-ordinary intervention given that the only folk with peat rights are the crofters all of whom are in support of the proposal.

Of the four objectors given the floor, only one knew what he was doing, carefully dissecting the planning officers report and highlighting flaws in the application.

These presentations had been arranged in advance - and were selected from folk who had made representations when the planning application was open to comment over a year ago. Democracy being what it is, the public were not allowed to participate in the meeting.

A statutory consultee - SNH - had objected (on grounds of visual impact), but hadn't sent a representative to explain their objection - something the Councillors were very unhappy about. I'm proud to declare myself an environmentalist - but not of the ilk of SNH. Those who wish to protect the fluffy without regard to those who work the land, have done for centuries, and whose forefathers created the very environment SNH-ers work so hard to conserve (like jam) deserve derision. They also give precious little regard to the overriding threat of climate change. I'll save this diatribe for another time.

Anyway - the most fascinating aspect of the proceedings was the rift in the village - between the crofters - represented by the grazing committee, and the incomers - represented by the community council. The incoming busy-body who views their surroundings smeared in jam (there is a good metaphor in there somewhere, but I'll leave you to put in the effort to make it work), deserves much derision. Another diatribe for another time.

The proposal was passed and now goes for review by the Scottish Government.