Public Attitudes and Community Participation in Windfarm Development : Strategic Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy in Scotland

ISBN-13: 9783639158786 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 424 str.

Alastor Coleby

Opis

Windfarm construction in Scotland has increased with government support for renewable energy in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their environmental impact. However, communities and conservation groups have debated the appropriateness of wind power to do this. This thesis assesses the scope of public perception and participation within wind farm development. In summary individuals and groups were found to justify their opinions for or against wind power using a number of arguments although their attitudes were frequently driven by aesthetic considerations of contemporary land use. The most notable example of this was landscape quality and its related influence on house prices. Thus, acceptability of wind power changed from site to site depending on the local land use context and perceived socio-economic impacts or benefits. Environmental expert perceptions held that public attitudes towards wind power were more negative and self-interested than was the case when public participation was sought. Fundamentally, public attitudes became positive with traditional designs or as familiarity with the standard industry approaches increases.

O autorze

Dr. Coleby specialises in integrating social, economic and
environmental aspects of renewable energy within the context of
natural resources and spatial planning.

PhD Construction - Environmental Assessment (Heriot Watt
Edinburgh).
MSc Rural and Regional Resources Planning (Aberdeen).
BSc Honours Environmental Geoscience (London).