MP challenged over wind farm comments

During a recent Question Time at Stormont, the former Environment Minister claimed the countryside had been “raped by extensive industrial-type wind energy projects”.

And he sought assurances from the current Environment Minister, Mark Durkan, regarding PPS 21 – a policy introduced by the Planning Service to create more opportunities for development in the countryside by relaxing restrictions.

Mr Wilson said: “Will the minister assure us that he will not relax PPS 21 further to allow the kind of open-door policy that is suggested by Sinn Fein, which will lead to even further destruction of the countryside?”

However, Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim, Roy Beggs accused Mr Wilson of having a “very selective memory” and said: “I understand it is PPS 18 that gives more direction on where wind farms are located in the countryside.

“Does the Minister find it strange that such a question came from someone who developed that policy (Mr Wilson), which was finalised within weeks by his successor Edwin Poots MLA?”

Mr Durkan responded: “No question from Mr Wilson shocks me. As the member rightly identifies, PPS 18 deals with renewable energy.

“I fully expect PPS 18 to be among the policies most mentioned in the 700 responses to the consultation and for it to be one of the more thumbed sections of the draft strategic planning policy statement.”

Speaking after Question Time, Mr Beggs said: “I was astonished to hear Mr Wilson criticise wind energy projects which have gained approval as a result of a planning policy which was developed when Mr Wilson was himself the Minister for the Environment.

“I find it strange that Mr Wilson seems to think he can oversee the development of a planning policy (PPS 18) as Environment Minister, and then attack his very policy.

“He appears to have memory loss or a very selective memory.”