November 24, 2012
Scotland

Tolsta windfarm plans

Stornoway Gazette | 24 November 2012 | www.stornowaygazette.co.uk

The Tolsta community were given a glimpse of what they can expect if plans for a 14 turbine windfarm goes ahead.

On Tuesday November 20th a pre-application public event for the Druim Leathann Windfarm was held in Tolsta with representatives from 2020 Renewables to discuss the project.

A formal planning application is expected to be made to the Comhairle this summer and over the next few months the project team will continue with the environmental impact assessment that will accompany the application.

Alasdair MacLeod, 2020 Renewables Development Director, said they have had encouragement from the local community in regards to the planned turbines which would be built on Common Grazings.

He explained that rent would be paid to the Stornoway Trust and the Grazings Committees for use of the land, with added community benefits of £7,000 per megawatt of output per year. The planned output is 42 megawatts.

One local crofter, who would have a view of the turbines from his house if the development goes ahead, said the money coming in from the project would help crofters, particularly young ones.

He said: “Money helps from whatever quarter it comes from.

“If these people have an interest in the land and putting money our way that’s got to be progress.

“At least it will be something coming in, and will bring some work.”

He added: “It’s a big decision to be made but its going to come. If not here it would be somewhere else.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/11/24/tolsta-windfarm-plans/