June 4, 2007
U.K.
U.K.
Lewis landowner Nicholas Oppenheim has offered his land as a site for a proposed cable and interconnector for a controversial windfarm.
The Eishken Estate owner has stated there is no reason why the proposed cable and interconnector for the Beinn Mhor Power windfarm could not be located on his land, alongside the 53 turbines currently seeking Scottish Executive approval.
It comes after villagers ran a ballot in the nearby village of Gravir over Scottish and Southern Energy’s plans to install the device in their community. A total of 76% of those who voted were against the proposal, while 14% supported it, and 10% said they didn’t know.
The energy company would require the connector to export power from the proposed Eishken and Park windfarms.
Gravir villager Emma Mackenzie said: “It is very gracious of Mr Oppenheim to say that he would not mind the cable and inter-connector going to Eishken, but it is not his decision. We will always see Gravir as the site for the inter-connector until we hear from Scottish and Southern.
“We will continue to make our views known, as the people of Gravir are against what is being proposed,” she added.
A spokesman for Scottish and Southern Energy said the company was aware of Mr Oppenheim’s views and had factored them into the proposals in its preliminary consultation document. We are considering the views that have come forward as a result of the consultations and will decide on what our next steps will be,” he added.
The Beinn Mhor windfarm development has also attracted objections from locals who fear the environmental impact of 53 turbines in their area.
4 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/04/lewis-laird-offers-land-for-windfarm-cable-plan/