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Trust urges Government to reject Eishken windfarm 16/4/09
► Eishken windfarm could threaten prehistoric phenomenon
The John Muir Trust has urged Jim Mather MSP to protect the tourist industry in the Western Isles by rejecting the proposed Eisgein wind development in Lewis.
The proposal for a 53 turbine Muaitheabhal wind farm on the Eisgein estate would both penetrate into the Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area and be partially visible from the Callanish Stones.
Ministers are expected to make a final decision on the application in the coming weeks.
Stuart Brooks, chief executive for the John Muir Trust said: “If approved by Scottish Ministers this poorly sited wind farm could seriously jeopardise the future of the tourist industry on the Western Isles.
“The wild and remote land surrounding the Calanais stones is a touchstone to Scotland’s international reputation for stunning, ancient landscapes.”
Approval would mark the first major breach of one of 40 National Scenic Areas in Scotland, established to protect ‘the very best’ of Scotland’s natural beauty.
The John Muir Trust is concerned that the decision could open the floodgates to development in some of Scotland’s most sensitive environments.
“The wrong decision could undermine the integrity of National Scenic Areas as well as delivering a hammer blow to one of Scotland’s signature landscapes,” added Brooks.
The John Muir Trust argued at the Local Public Inquiry that the short term economic
benefits of approving the Eisgein wind development could be massively outweighed
by a potential long-
Tourism to the Outer Hebrides currently contributes an estimated 15% of the region’s economic output (GRDP) and accounts for around 9% of the islands workforce.
“Calanais is a central attraction to both Lewis and Scotland’s tourist industry, drawing around 20,000 visitors from all over the world every year,” commented Brooks.
“Why degrade the visitor experience at one of Scotland’s most important national monuments when tourism could help us ride out this credit crunch?”
Several surveys have indicated that tourism could be significantly affected in areas with high densities of industrially scaled wind farms.
For example, Scottish eco-
Rejecting the proposal would also be consistent with advice in the Government’s own study on ‘the Economic Impacts of Wind Farms on Scottish Tourism.’
The 2008 report concluded that: “It is important that areas are retained where turbine development is limited to supplying local needs in small remote communities, and indeed the wilderness nature of these areas are publicised.”
The John Muir Trust strongly supports the Scottish Government in meeting ambitious carbon reduction targets – but believe this can be done without approving poorly sited onshore wind proposals in areas of core wild land.
“We can tackle climate change without defacing the world renown landscapes that define Scotland and its people,” concluded Brooks.