MWT criticises Governement’s windfarm energy study 2/2/09
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A Hebridean community group opposed to giant windfarms has slammed a Scottish Government’s proposal to consider constructing 50 huge turbines outside on Lewis.
Mòinteach Gun Mhuileann (Moorland without Turbines, MWT ) criticised the report issued by Scottish energy minister Jim Mather which claimed there was opportunities for large-scale wind developments on Lewis.
MWT was originally established by crofters and villagers to fight plans by Amec to turn the islands' moor into a massive power station with around 200 machines, pylons, roads and compounds.
Ironically, it has emerged that the report commissioned from consultants Halcrow proposes much of the same areas which Amec failed to win planning permission from Mr Mather.
It also earmarks acres of moor between Stornoway and North Lochs close to golden eagles and other protected species.
It includes a suggestion to rip out a forest to destroy habitat for predator species to compensate for building turbines on sensitive land which was initially nominated by Western Isles Council as environmentally important for wild and threatened birds and now protected by strict European laws.
One snag is a potential £10 million bill to relocate a huge radar station which tracks UK to USA aircraft flights across the Atlantic.
Catriona Campbell of MWT pointed out: "In addition, everything is dependant on a Lewis to mainland interconnector which requires consent of two large scale windfarms at Eisgein and Pairc.
She said: "The ‘stakeholder’ consultation should have included the South Lewis and North Harris communities directly affected."
She highlighted: "Every count of public opinion so far has consistently shown that these communities are against the developments."
"The interconnector also requires a landfall, and associated works, in Grabhair, and that community also has made its opposition clear.
MWT pointed out that the Western Isles SNP MP Angus Macneil and MSP Alasdair Allan both insist that renewable energy developments would have to respect environmental designations and the will of local communities.
Ms Campbell said: "MWT now look forward to seeing a proper acknowledgement of the recorded extent of opposition to the Eisgein and Pairc windfarm proposals at all levels of government."
She said the body “although the study contains many ideas, we are disappointed that it has failed to show a clear way forward for the development of renewable energy on Lewis and Harris.
“We are pleased that, in responding to the Halcrow study, our MP and MSP have both again highlighted the importance of local community agreement to developments.”
