New figures have revealed that councils throughout Scotland are dealing with seven wind farm applications a day.

According to the Scottish Conservatives, there have been 2,508 applications in the past 18 months – the equivalent of 34 a week.

The party added that the steady influx of submissions comes despite assurances from the SNP that it would stop its "windfarm obsession" and and ensure areas of the country were protected from the threat of turbine development.

In a statement on its website, the Scottish Conservatives said local authorities have "voiced their annoyance" at the volume of applications they receive from major energy firms.

Many of the applications are large scale and require significant work, and subsequently place a weighty burden on planning chiefs.

Since March last year, Aberdeenshire was revealed to have the highest amount of applications, with 428. This was followed by Highland (376) and Orkney (371).

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Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Murdo Fraser MSP said: "Alex Salmond has played to the gallery on this one, but the figures show the rush of windfarm applications remains intense.

"These applications put council planning departments under immense strain, and cause great concern to communities worried about the impact a massive windfarm on their doorstep will have.

"And even if a council does reject an application, there is a good chance the turbine-hungry Scottish Government will overturn the ruling in pursuit of its own overly green policies.

"This surge has to stop, and the way to do that is ending ludicrous subsidies for an unreliable and intermittent energy source, and stop inviting companies to develop in areas which are clearly unsuitable.

"We appreciate that windfarms have a place, but the fact there are seven windfarm applications a day in Scotland proves this is a gravy train threatening to career out of control."

The Scottish government has said its policy represents a "balance" between different interests.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government is quoted as saying: "We recognise that some planning authorities face pressure from the volume of wind turbine applications they receive, and have identified additional funds to assist them.

"Our policy on wind farm applications aims to strike an appropriate balance between Scotland's massive green energy potential and the need to satisfactorily address the impacts on communities and the environment."

(JP/IT)