Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston

Victory for Community Campaigners -
AP's dirty coal plans withdrawn

With 22,000 people having lodged objections, Ayrshire Power’s plans for a dirty coal-fired station at Hunterston were the most unpopular in Scottish planning history. Two weeks after at the recent launch of the public inquiry, AP finally bowed to public pressure and withdrew their plans.

Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston (CONCH) who have been campaigning for over 3 years, gave their reaction:

Tim Cowen, co-chair of CONCH, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and relieved by this news. This is a testimony to the hard work and determination of ordinary people who have united in opposition against dirty coal. Coal is not clean and never will be, so it should play no part in Scotland’s future energy mix. Ayrshire Power's plans would have had huge repercussions locally, nationally and internationally - in relation to climate change, public health, human rights and so much more.”

Maggie Kelly, co-chair, added: “When these plans were first announced, many people said we don’t agree with it - but let’s face it, this is a done deal. People felt powerless in the face of such a powerful multinational company. This is a victory for ordinary people who took on the might of a huge company and won. It’s a great day for everyone who is fighting for environmental and social justice.”

Ayrshire Power's plans would have had huge repercussions locally, nationally and internationally in relation to climate change, public health, human rights and so much more.

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'Say No to Hunterston' campaign wins Scottish Green Award

The 'Say No to Hunterston' Campaign picked up the Outstanding Contribution to the Scottish Environment prize at the Scottish Green Awards 2012.

The prize, sponsored by Scottish Power was awarded to 'an individual, group of individuals, company or organisation, which has made a key contribution to improving the environment in Scotland'.

The coalition included large organisations such as the RSPB, WWF and the Church of Scotland, but the judges also highlighted the efforts of individuals through the ‘Community Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston’ campaign with co-chairs Tim Cowen and Maggie Kelly praised for their success in galvanising on-the-ground support.

“What they achieved demonstrates that local communities can have a voice and influence what is happening in their area,” commented one panel member.

Tim and Maggie were also nominated as finalists in the Best Green Community Initiative award for 'an initiative that improves the environment and has been led and developed by a community and with wide-community support and involvement'.

Tim said: "The biggest prize we got was when AP withdrew their plans in June. However, it is also good to have all our hard work recognised. People told us that there was no point in campaigning as the coal station was a done deal. We showed that with enough collective hard work and determination, it is possible to defy the odds, take on a big polluter and win."

Read More:

Business 7 report

For Argyll report

Scottish Green Awards