Community councils back calls for moratorium on more onshore renewables in South of Scotland

The statement was backed by the representatives of all the main political parties except the SNP, although east Lothian candidate, and former MP Calum Kerr promised to look at its aims.

Community council representatives will now consult with their members, and a further convention will be held in March to ratify approval of the statement.

It is intended that a joint position will be agreed with the Highlands, North East and Northern Isles conventions to give a stronger voice to the whole of rural Scotland.

A round table meeting is also being held with MSPs in the Scottish parliament on February 24, at which the call for a pause in developments until a proper energy strategy is agreed will be pressed.

Of particular concern is the absence of any acknowledgement of cumulative effect of more developments, instead the granting of one application is used as a precedent for others.

It is also hoped that energy policies in the party manifestos for the Holyrood election in May will include commitments to honour the unified statement's requests.

Convention organiser Bob Hope, who also chairs the Leitholm, Eccles and Birgham community council, said: "Our straw poll today indicated overwhelming support for the unified statement and I am confident that when our community councils have had the chance to discuss its aims we will be able to send a clear and unequivocal message to the Scottish Government that enough is enough.

"The Scottish Government is riding roughshod over the views of rural communities across Scotland and

it has got to stop.

"None of us are numbers and we all support the just transition to renewable energy, but what is happening is not just. We have already taken our fair share and our voices must be heard.

"Today was a very important moment in this campaign for fairness and I am very grateful to everyone who attended.”

Pictures by Phil Wilkinson