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Wind farm inquiry costs revealed Wind farm inquiry costs revealed
(about 14 hours later)
Wind farm public inquiries across the country have cost the Scottish Government a total of almost £70,000 over the last five years.Wind farm public inquiries across the country have cost the Scottish Government a total of almost £70,000 over the last five years.
The figures, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, include only money spent on venues and advertising.The figures, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, include only money spent on venues and advertising.
The most expensive event to be held was a conjoined hearing into four plans in Perth and Kinross which cost £17,515.The most expensive event to be held was a conjoined hearing into four plans in Perth and Kinross which cost £17,515.
At the other end of the scale was a scheme at Clochnahill in Aberdeenshire which has been priced at just £48.At the other end of the scale was a scheme at Clochnahill in Aberdeenshire which has been priced at just £48.
A spokesman for the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) said the figures did not include costs incurred by parties making their case to an inquiry.A spokesman for the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA) said the figures did not include costs incurred by parties making their case to an inquiry.
The total expenditure only covers inquiries which were administered by the DPEA.The total expenditure only covers inquiries which were administered by the DPEA.
Single proposalSingle proposal
The average cost of each completed hearing is a little under £2,000.The average cost of each completed hearing is a little under £2,000.
However, some inquiries in different parts of the country have exceeded that figure significantly.However, some inquiries in different parts of the country have exceeded that figure significantly.
A conjoined hearing into four plans in Perth and Kinross, including one at Snowgoat Glen, cost more than £17,000.A conjoined hearing into four plans in Perth and Kinross, including one at Snowgoat Glen, cost more than £17,000.
The most expensive inquiry into a single proposal was at Green Hill near Largs in North Ayrshire at a price of £6,402.The most expensive inquiry into a single proposal was at Green Hill near Largs in North Ayrshire at a price of £6,402.
There was also above average spending required on hearings into plans on the Achany Estate in Sutherland, Corlic Hill in Inverclyde and Toddleburn in the Scottish Borders.There was also above average spending required on hearings into plans on the Achany Estate in Sutherland, Corlic Hill in Inverclyde and Toddleburn in the Scottish Borders.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "There is a necessary democratic and legal process to deal with these public inquiries and it is only right that the public and other interested parties have an opportunity to have their say on schemes in their local area.
"This expenditure for these hearings and associated advertising, supports that."