Letters / Assurances sound unconvincing
I refer to your news report on pollution in the Burn of Lunklet caused by the Viking Energy wind farm construction works.
Metals in the burn, Grant moves on, NorthLink booking, ADS for businesses
Clearly, this was not supposed to happen with all the environmental protection that Viking was supposed to have put in place. This is not the first time that Viking’s actions have resulted in environmental issues.
As was predicted by many people, the wind farm simply could not be constructed without some environmental damage. That it should affect the SSSI area of the Lunklet burn is particularly disappointing. Also disappointing is the very weak monitoring by SEPA of Viking’s work.
Assurances that remedial action will be undertaken sound unconvincing. For example, just how does Viking propose to “seal” exposed rock faces within “borrow pits”? It is certainly a matter of concern that Viking seem to be making things up as they go along.
I note that Viking have been nominated for a community engagement award at the Scottish Renewables mutual back slapping event, (Scottish Green Energy Awards 2022).
It seems unlikely that discussion of the problems that Viking are facing is included in the indoctrination type presentations to Shetland schoolchildren that are mentioned in the nomination. In spite of Viking’s best attempts, their project remains highly controversial and they still have some way to go in achieving successful community engagement.
Frank Hay
Weisdale
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