Our only way to stop the HoF Windfarm, and to prevent further wind farms from following it, is to ensure that there is a Public Enquiry.
The only way to get a Public Enquiry is to get Aberdeenshire Council (as a consultee) to demand one.
And the only way to get the Council to demand one is to make sure that all our Councillors are fully aware that their constituents don’t want the wind farm.
Now … it’s really important how we approach our councillors, and the way we do this depends on whether or not a planning application has been submitted yet!!
Before a planning application has been submitted (and the application hasn’t been submitted yet and isn’t likely to be submitted until late summer or autumn 2023), it is inappropriate and potentially counterproductive to object to the development. The reason being that until the application is in, there is officially nothing to object to. I know it sounds crazy, but this is how the process works.
As such, before the application is submitted, what people need to do is to raise concerns – which may later lead to an objection when the application is submitted. These can be done by letter, e-mail or during face to face meetings with councillors.
You need to remember that the crux of the whole process is based around the fact that Councillors are there to reflect their constituents views and opinions and not to have an opinion of their own. They can only reflect and represent our views if they are aware of them.
The attached word document includes a template letter of concern and a list of Councillors and MSP/MPs whom we need to express our concerns to. The letter template is very much a framework and individuals are encouraged to use it as such; personalising it to their own thoughts and views.
The letter of concern template includes a list of Councillors in Ward 13 Westhill and District and Ward 16 Banchory and Mid-Deeside. It is wholly appropriate, and indeed a good idea to write to all the Councillors in your ward with your concerns. If possible try to meet with them and get across your concerns on a more personal basis. These Councillors are required to represent their constituents and they can only reflect and represent our views if they are aware of them.
Remember if there are multiple members of a household, each member can also legitimately raise a concern to each councillor.
Once a planning application has been submitted, it then becomes appropriate to formally object to the development application. (We’ll be sure to let the community know when the application gets submitted).
It is hugely important to note that at this stage it will no longer be possible to meet with Councillors face to face as this will potentially be viewed as a conflict of interests. This is why we must raise letters of concern NOW and try to speak directly to our councillors as much as possible before the application goes in.
As with a letter of concern, there is a right and a wrong way to write an objection letter and it is important that certain guidelines are followed for it to be taken into serious consideration.
Here are some guidelines for writing objection letters that we can use to get prepared for when the application is submitted.
https://www.planningdemocracy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PD_HOW-TO-RESPOND_MAR20.pdf
Examples of valid planning objections are listed on p.9, and those generally not valid are on p.10.
An example objection letter is listed on p.38-42. I have attached this in Word format as a kind of template to use when writing an objection when the time comes.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please get in touch with the HoFWIG team at info@hilloffare.org.
