Ruraidh Stewart, Leader of the Conservative Group on Highland Council and Candidate for Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire, alongside Fiona Fawcett, Candidate for Caithness, Sutherland, and Easter Ross, have voiced strong support for the Conservative manifesto's commitment to prioritising local consent and thorough review processes in the planning and development sector.
"The Scottish Conservatives understand the importance of balancing the delivery of key regional and national infrastructure priorities with ensuring community consent," said Ruraidh Stewart. "We will end the SNP power grab of local decisions being overturned by ministers by ensuring that councils have the final say on planning decisions."
Ruraidh Stewart and Fiona Fawcett have expressed concern over the rapid pace of proposed major electricity generation, storage, and transmission developments in the Highlands. They are calling for a pause on these developments until a comprehensive review can be undertaken.
"The Scottish Conservatives will ensure that local consent is placed at the heart of any plans to upgrade the network and that pylons are only installed where that is present," added Fiona Fawcett. "We will undertake a rapid review into the advantages of alternative network technologies compared to overhead pylons, including a presumption in favour of under-grounding."
A key issue highlighted by the candidates is a report "Social Values Charter for Renewables Investment’ which is being presented at tomorrow's meeting of The Highland Council They emphasise the need for greater transparency and community involvement in such significant policy changes. The charter, which the Highland Council, suggests a substantial increase in community contributions from energy developers, which the candidates argue could undermine well-considered proposals in favour of financial incentives.
"The council's approach to major infrastructure developments must be holistic and transparent," Stewart stated. "Communities across Highland should be fully engaged in the consultation and planning process and suitably empowered to respond on an equal basis with developers."
Cllr Ruraidh Stewart advocates for a debate of his Conservative colleague Councillor Helen Crawford's motion, which calls for real-time mapping of all major renewable energy developments and a thorough cumulative impact assessment before any new applications are considered.
“Helen’s motion recognises the significant environmental and socio-economic impacts of these developments and stresses the importance of community engagement," Cllr Stewart explained. "It is essential for maintaining democratic integrity and ensuring that residents' voices are heard and respected. It is shameful that The Highland Council refuses to allow this motion to be debated"
Both candidates are urging the Highland Council to adopt a more measured and community-focused approach to development planning, reflecting the Conservative manifesto's principles of local empowerment and thorough review processes.