South Scotland MSP, Emma Harper, who last week attended a meeting held by JDH Exploration Ltd in the McMillan Hall in Newton Stewart regarding natural mineral exploration across Galloway, has said that she will hold a meeting to hear the concerns of local people over the proposal and over any potential future mining in Galloway.
Ms Harper has previously expressed reservations over the potential negative environmental impact of mineral mining across South West Scotland. During the meeting at McMillan Hall, Ms Harper emphasised the importance of clear communication with locals on what JDH Exploration Ltd are and are not doing, and she noted the importance of consultation with local people.
To seek this clarity, the South Scotland MSP has also raised a formal written question of the Scottish Government asking what involvement the Crown Estate Scotland has had with the company and which date any licence was granted and for what purpose, and in addition, on whether there has been involvement from the Scottish Government. Ms Harper has also written directly to the Environment Minister to outline the concerns of constituents across Galloway and South West Scotland.
Ms Harper commented;
“I was pleased to attend the meeting last week, held by JDH Exploration Ltd, to hear from the company on what they are and are not doing regarding mineral exploration across Galloway. During the meeting, I was able to raise the concerns expressed to me by constituents over communication from JDH Exploration Ltd and I emphasised the importance of local people being involved with, and consulted on, all decisions relating to them.
“To be clear, the Scottish Government have no formal involvement at this stage. The exploration licence has been granted by the Crown Estate Scotland, who act independently of the Scottish Government, and should any mining go ahead, an application will have to be submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council’s planning department. If the community are then unhappy with the outcome of this decisions, an appeal can be made to the Scottish Government.
“I am aware that there are a number of interest groups, 2 action groups and individuals who care deeply about Galloway and the potential of mineral exploration and mining. I am therefore holding a virtual public meeting on Friday the 11th of March for any constituent to attend and make their views known. I will circulate the detail of this on my social media sites – Emma Harper MSP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.”
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