Joan McAlpine says “Russell Brown is acting like Trump!!
Written by author on October 2, 2012
Joan McAlpine MSP challenged Russell Brown to abandon his campaign against wind energy and work constructively to ensure communities in Dumfries and Galloway get maximum benefit from the technology
She was speaking after a visit to the consultation for the proposed Sandy Knowe windfarm in Upper Nithsdale on Tuesday Ocober 2nd.
Sanquhar, Kelloholm and Kirkconnel all stand to gain £450,000 a year in a community benefit fund being offered by developer Burcote Wind.
Ms McAlpine said the money could transform the area, which has long suffered from high unemployment.
Discussions are already taking place on how to channel the fund into job creation and training for local young people as well as providing start up loans for small businesses. Carol Turnbull, principal of Dumfries and Galloway council, is one of those on the community liaison forum, along with community councillors and civic organsations like Kirkconnel Village Pride.
Proposals include using the fund to expand college outreach services in the area, such as offering apprenticeship training closer to home.
The decision on Sandy Knowe will be made by the Scottish Government, whom Mr Brown has consistently attacked in his anti-wind campaign.
Ms McAlpine said:
“Russell Brown is behaving like the Donald Trump of Dumfries and Galloway.
“Irresponsible campaigns threaten the prospects of the silent majority of low and middle income locals who don’t shout so loud.
“The vast majority of people in Sanquhar, Kirkconnell and Kelloholm see Burcote’s offer as a shot in the arm. It stands to net these communities £11.25million over its lifetime.
“I’ve looked through the consultation responses since March and the vast majority see the development as an opportunity. This is also the finding from a survey by Sanquhar Community Council.
“Russell Brown is totally out of touch.”
“He would be better working to ensure his constituents get the maximum benefit from windfarm opportunities instead of opposing them to score cheap political points.”
Ms McAlpine went on to say “Dumfries and Galloway residents should drive hard bargains with the wind farm companies who are making big profits.”
“We need to work constructively to ensure that Burcote’s gold standard offer at Sandy Knowe is what all affected communities in the region receive.
“Burcote recently upped their offer and other developers will too – these developments generate money as well as power and it should be shared with affected residents.
“We also need to ensure that the money benefits the areas most affected and that as much as possible local companies get the contracts to construct the windfarms.
“Lastly we need to agree on the best model of distributing the community benefit, and ensuring that this is done fairly and in a way that boosts economic regeneration and development.
Ms McAlpine pointed to the Scotland wide directory of community benefits recently announced by the First Minister as a way Dumfries and Galloway could make sure it was getting the best deal.
