Gravir convertor station gets planning permission 10/2/09
The crofting village of Gravir on Lewis is set to become the centre of a important energy superhighway to power the Scottish central belt after a decision by Western Isles Council.
The local authority has granted planning permission for a huge electricity convertor station which is a vital part of a new network by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
Its subsidiary firm Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission (Shetl) plans to have a chain of overhead eclectic lines running across the Lewis moor land and pumping thousands of megawatts of electricity from giant wind farms into the new sub-station.
From the other end twin sub-sea cables will export the high voltage output under the Minch to land at Dundonnell on Little Loch Broom and onward to another convertor station near Beauly before transmission south to the industrial heart of Scotland.
Today (tues) island councillors backed the idea of underwater cables and also permitted the go-ahead for the convertor station.
Local councillor Philip Maclean objected: "The impact is huge. This is a bad neighbour development and should be built somewhere like Arnish.
Cllr Angus McCormack saw a long-term economic benefit: "This is one way of taking forward our concerns that renewables be an important part of the future of the Outer Hebrides."
Cllr Morag Munro warned that the district road to Gravir was narrow and hilly.
She wanted a condition which to improve the road in advance to safely handle the construction traffic
Mrs Munro was also unhappy at the absence of any community benefit: “It is a shame that the only thing the community receive is a pavement."
She warned that crofters were so concerned over animal safety that they would refuse to allow their stock to graze near it.
Cllr Norman Macleod of Point said that carry 120 ton loads would create" considerable damage on the road going into Gravir."
Annie Macdonald asked: "What if a lorry happens to go of the (Balallan) road and serious damage was done to the water main.
"I want a reassurance that if we are out of water we get it back quickly."
Technical director Murdo Gray acknowledged "some of these vehicles are going to be very heavy and very lengthy."
The council approved the building with over 30 conditions subject to road safety and possible redesign of the appearance of the "horrible" structure.
