LARGS-based MSP Jamie Greene has challenged Scottish Government ministers to 'respect local democracy' over the huge opposition to the Rigghill wind farm.
North Ayrshire Council planners have unanimously opposed the development while it has been claimed that the popular Red Road tourism beauty spot could be 'lost forever' due to road widening and trees being removed.
Local community councils in the area have also strongly opposed the plan by Burcote Wind and ERG for the 10 turbines with a tip height of up to 149.9 metres on the outskirts of the town.
The wind farm has been referred to Scottish Ministers, despite breaching more than ten policies in the area’s local development plan.
In 2020-21, more than half of planning applications that went to Scottish Ministers were overturned, often in the face of numerous objections and contrary to local development plans.
Mr Greene believes that the views of hose most affected should not be ignored.
He said: “I have had numerous constituents contact me about this being granted in the face of strong objections from those most affected.
“Unfortunately, they have legitimate cause for concern. This Scottish Government has developed a habit of ignoring the concerns of communities and deciding they alone know best.
“It’s all very well for remote politicians in Edinburgh to be overturning councils, however local people have to live with the consequences of their decisions.
"The community has made its views heard - now the Scottish Government must listen and dismiss the plans outright – anything short of this will be an affront to local democracy."
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