LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]


Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

News Watch Home

Objections dropped against Stornoway windfarm 

Ironically, the latest renewable scheme would be erected on land the developers previously rejected around 2004. They have obtained the wind energy rights over the crofting moorland and forestry belt. The current proposal follows the aftermath of the Scottish Government’s refusal to controversially build a £700 million chain of 181 huge turbines up the length of Lewis.

Credit:  Hebrides News | www.hebrides-news.com 21 June 2012 ~~

Plans to build a giant windfarm on the outskirts of Stornoway took a major step forward today after two significant objectors withdrew their opposition.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the RSPB dropped their objections to the Lewis Windfarm scheme paving the way for a much easier ride to get planning permission.

The number of turbines will be cut from 42 to 36 after both organisations previously said they could harm golden eagles and red-throated divers in the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area..It has now withdrawn its holding objection to the proposals after the number of turbines were cut from 42 to 36.

Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland said: “Although we are disappointed that risks to golden eagles and red-throated divers have not been reduced further, when compared with previous proposals for large scale wind power schemes in north Lewis, the Stornoway wind farm as now proposed represents a welcome improvement, and we acknowledge the efforts made by Lewis Wind Power in this regard.

“The challenge now is to ensure that the construction and operational impacts are minimised, and that the development is thoroughly monitored, so that any eagle displacement or collision is discovered, and urgent remedial action taken. We look forward to working with the developer and our partners in the statutory sector in order to help achieve this.”

David Maclennan, SNH area manager in the Outer Hebrides, confirmed SNH has no outstanding concerns about the development.

He added: “We have worked closely with Lewis Wind Power and Stornoway Trust, our aim being to help them find a solution that meets their requirements whilst safeguarding the eagles and divers in the Lewis Peatlands SPA. Now that the most sensitive turbines have been removed from the proposal, we’re confident the risks to the SPA have been addressed. We very much welcome the close working arrangement we have had with Lewis Wind Power throughout this process. They have taken on board our concerns and have been very keen from the outset to do what they could to address them.”

He added: “Scotland has huge potential in renewable energy and it should be possible to achieve targets whilst making sure the impacts on nature and landscape are sustainable. The challenge is to make sure the right developments happen in the right places.”

The developers – a partnership between Amec and French government-owned EDF Energy – want to erect the giant turbines adjacent to a busy tourist route.

Ironically, the latest renewable scheme would be erected on land the developers previously rejected around 2004. They have obtained the wind energy rights over the crofting moorland and forestry belt.

The current proposal follows the aftermath of the Scottish Government’s refusal to controversially build a £700 million chain of 181 huge turbines up the length of Lewis.

Source:  Hebrides News | www.hebrides-news.com 21 June 2012

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon