June 12, 2008
Scotland
Scotland
The Scottish Government has rubber stamped planning permission for 13 giant wind turbines on Lewis.
Official confirmation on the £ 45 million scheme is expected to be issued within days via Western Isles Council.
The Feiriosbhal scheme is the only major wind farm in the Hebrides to be approved.
It is a sub-set of the larger 53-machine Eisgein which is the focus of an ongoing public inquiry.
Developer Nick Oppenheim will hand two free sites over to a community windfarm.
A source said: “The inquiry should now consider the remaining 40 turbines as a bolt-on to this scheme.”
Lochs councillor Annie Macdonald said: “If this is true then it is a new begining for the Lochs area and an exciting time for the community which has the opportunity, if it so wishes, to be part of the development.”
The 13 turbines will be split on each side of the Feiriosbhal and Beinn Mheadhanach hills on the Eishken estate.
Council vice-convenor Angus Campbell welcomed the news: “This is a signal that not every development will be prevented from happening. There is hope for future schemes and we hope to build on that.”
11 June 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/06/12/first-major-wind-farm-for-lewis-gets-go-ahead/