A Scottish Natural Heritage survey has unearthed a staggering increase in the visual impact of wind turbines.
The results show that the area of Scotland from which one or more types of built development can be seen increased to 71% in 2012, an increase of six percentage points from 2008.
The largest change in visual influence comes from wind turbines; increasing from 35.6% (2010) to 41.7% in 2012, more than doubling the 19.9% 2008 baseline. Tall structures, not including wind turbines, showed little change.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“This survey has revealed the staggering impact of wind turbines on the Scottish landscape.
“The Scottish Government recently pledged to protect wild land from wind turbines and other unsightly developments, but this moves looks to have come too late as a huge percentage of countryside is already under siege from industrial style wind developments.
“The Scottish Government must understand the relationship between tourism, rural beauty and the impact of wind turbines. Therefore, planning regulations must go much further to protect Scotland’s countryside from unsightly and unsuitable wind developments.”