News / Crowdfunding campaign
CAMPAIGNERS fighting Shetland’s controversial Viking Energy wind farm are going global to crowdfund a legal appeal in the Court of Session that could cost £40,000.
Last year judge Lady Clark of Calton backed Sustainable Shetland’s argument that the Scottish government should not have granted planning consent to the 103 turbine wind farm.
The government has appealed and their case will be heard by three judges in the Inner House of the Court of Session starting on 25 February.
Sustainable Shetland raised almost £100,000 from public donation to fight their initial judicial review, which they won on the grounds that ministers failed to take proper account of its obligations under the European Wild Birds Directive.
In addition the judge found Viking Energy’s application to be “incompetent” as they had no electricity generating licence, a decision with potential major ramifications beyond the isles.
Now the campaign group hopes to raise £20,000 towards fighting the appeal in one of Shetland’s first efforts at crowdfunding.
The fundraising campaign starts on Friday (17 January) and lasts eight weeks.
If the target is reached the money will go to the legal fund, and if it fails will be returned to the donors.
Chairman Frank Hay said the group had been “amazed and humbled” by how much was raised first time around without a major benefactor.
“This shows a great strength of feeling against the Viking Energy wind farm among our members and indeed the wider Shetland community,” he said.
“Wind farms are a national issue, and there are many throughout the UK who feel strongly that in some cases ‘big energy’ interests are damaging our environment rather than improving it.
“We hope that people around the country will show their support for our cause, which has nationwide implications regarding large scale wind farm developments and the protection of breeding bird species.”
The campaign will be live from 10am Friday at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sustainable-shetland
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