HC Community Councils on Impact of Major Energy Infrastructure

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Full Meeting Statement

From ‘The Community Council Convention of the Highland Council Area on the Impact of Major Energy Infrastructure | 14 June 2025’

 

Message from Councillor Helen Crawford:
“We promised to publish every written statement received from Community Councils and I am delighted to confirm we are now doing that. You can read the statements by clicking on the link Community Council Convention on The Impact of Major Energy Infrastructure in the Highland Council Area_Full Meeting Statement_V3_21.06.25  We are sharing this document with all supporting Community Councils by email today and ask each and every one of you to share it widely so that these voices can be heard. This document contains a preface from the Chair of Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Council, Cameron Kemp, who put in months of work to make this happen. Also one of Scotland’s best-known naturalists, Sir John Lister-Kaye – Nature Writer OBE and beloved Scottish artist and singer, Julie Fowlis. I am grateful to you all and the numerous volunteers who made this happen. You know who you are. Thank you.”

 

Unified Statement of the Convention of Community Councils:

“This Convention supported by over FIFTY COMMUNITY COUNCILS, collectively representing over 72,000 residents within The Highland Council area:

  • RECOGNISES the impact of climate change on our planet but OPPOSES an unjust and unnecessary industrialisation of The Highlands.
  • CALLS for our elected members to URGENTLY support and protect our communities at NATIONAL level, given that community consultation is inadequate and LOCAL DEMOCRACY is being overridden, with decisions made by Community Councils and Highland Council consistently disregarded by the Scottish Government.
  • CALLS upon the Scottish Government to undertake a PLANNING INQUIRY COMMISSION to address the whole cumulative impact of all major renewable energy infrastructure developments, including transmission, storage and generation with all ancillary infrastructure on our communities and landscape, rather than the salami sliced approach which has thus far been taken.
  • CALLS for a PAUSE of all major applications, given the impact upon our communities, which may hasten depopulation in some areas until a clear NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY is in place and an ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT undertaken given that tourism is currently the backbone of The Highland economy.”

Hosted by the Community Councils of Kirkhill & Bunchrew, Kiltarlity, Sleat, Muir of Ord, Strathnairn, Kilmorack and Strathglass.

 

Full published statement from the Convention and all individual Community Council responses:

Community Council Convention on The Impact of Major Energy Infrastructure in the Highland Council Area_Full Meeting Statement_V3_21.06.25

Ardersier & Petty CC
Ardross CC
Balintore & Hilton CC
Beauly CC
Berriedale & Dunbeath CC
Broadford & Strath CC
Brora CC
Caithness West CC
Contin CC
Creich CC
Cromarty & District CC
Dalwhinnie CC
Dingwall CC
Dornie & District CC
Dunnet & Canisbay CC
Duror & Kentallen CC
Edderton CC
Ferintosh CC
Gairloch CC
Garve & District CC
Glengarry CC
Glenurquhart CC
Halkirk & District CC
Helmsdale & District CC
Invergordon CC
Killearnan CC
Kilmorack CC
Kiltarlity CC
Kiltearn CC
Kinlochbervie CC
Kirkhill & Bunchrew CC
Knockbain CC
Laggan CC
Latheron, Lybster & Clyth CC
Lochardil & Drummond CC
Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon CC
Morvern CC
Muir of Ord CC
Nairn River CC
Rogart CC
Saltburn & Westwood CC
Scourie & District CC
Skeabost & District CC
Sleat CC
Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge & Achnacarry CC
Strathdearn CC
Strathglass CC
Strathnairn CC
Strathpeffer CC
Strathy & Armadale CC
Tannach & District CC
Torridon & Kinlochewe CC
Uig CC
Watten CC