ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the results from the data collected through both the qualitative and the quantitative studies are discussed. The data seem to support, to an extent, the theoretical framework earlier proposed in Chapter 2 centred on the low-cost hypothesis. The influence of attitudes (environmental, place attachment) on opinion about the wind farm proposal is generally modest while the perceived costs and benefits of the proposed wind farms appear to orient opinion about them. Nevertheless, trust towards the proponents of the wind farm, and towards the co-operative scheme, appear to be pivotal issues shaping the attitudes of respondents. Other resources played a lesser role, or no role at all, in driving consensus towards the proposal. The co-operative model seems to be favoured by survey respondents, and this appears consistent with the interviews conducted, but it does not seem to make a difference in terms of consensus towards the wind farm, arguably because the benefits are not perceived to be inclusive.
