TWO local politicians have become embroiled in a spat about Scotland’s 'obsession’ with wind farms.

Tory MP David Mundell hit out at the SNP’s policy of flooding the countryside with the energy devices claiming 'enough is enough’ The Kirkconnel, Kelloholm and Sanquhar representative was speaking after figures revealed that Scotland has more than 50 per cent of the UK’s on-shore turbines.

But Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP Adam Ingram insists his party is just making the most of the country’s natural resources.

He said: “Quite simply, Scotland has a higher number of wind farms because of the natural resources we are blessed with, and the SNP is committed to harnessing Scotland’s energy wealth.

JOBS “Our vast renewable energy resource is just one of the assets that gives Scotland a competitive advantage, not only over the rest of the UK but over many countries across the world.” “David Mundell seems to think that it is a shortcoming that we have the ability to produce far more energy than we use.

“Scotland is in a great position to use its green energy potential to create jobs, bring in investment, and export energy, and in light of last week’s report on Climate Change from the UN it is what we need to and should be doing.” Mr Ingram continued: “Of course, a balance needs to be struck between the forms of renewable energy we develop and I share the concerns of some individuals about the siting and number of windfarms in a particular area.

“In certain parts of the country I believe saturation point has long been reached and I have actively supported those who have objected to the development of further windfarms in these areas.

“However, we have a number of options open to us - offshore wind, wave and tidal power all form part of the mix - and they are certainly far better than the alternative of nuclear power, would have a far greater detrimental impact on an area and would bring with it potentially disastrous consequences that can stay with us for generations.” In addition to the windfarms already up-and-running, another 405 turbines are under construction.

And Mr Mundell said: “These statistics contradict comments from the SNP that it is ready to cool its obsession with onshore wind energy,” “The figures, from Renewable UK, do not even take into account those windfarms which are making their way through the planning process.

UNFAIR “It’s quite incredible to think that, despite only consuming less than 10 per cent of the UK’s energy, Scotland has to suffer 50 per cent of the wind turbines. This is a direct result of the SNP waving windfarm developers through, and outmuscling local councils when it comes to the decision-making process.” He says there is a place for windfarms, but the Scottish Government has allowed this to get completely out of control.

Mr Mundell continued: “Local people deserve the right to decide what is best for their area, and I have heard time and again from constituents that they are fed up with the wholesale industrialisation of the countryside.

“This is totally unfair on people who have moved to this part of the world for a bit of peace and quiet, and yet find the landscape blotted by giant wind turbines. In this part of southern Scotland it is hard to find an open area without a wind turbine.”