Western Isles wind farm gets go-ahead but ancient site protected

THE first large-scale wind farm in the Western Isles has been given the go-ahead and will be able to provide enough power for nearly four times the number of homes on the islands. Original proposals had been criticised for damaging the view of the ancient Callanish standing stones. Revised plans removed a number of turbines from the national scenic area, and yesterday energy minister Jim Mather approved the proposal on condition more turbines were cut.
The 33-turbine, 118MW scheme at Muaitheabhal, on Lewis, was proposed by developer Nick Oppenheim on his Eisgen Estate.The announcement comes a week after Mr Mather approved the controversial Beauly-Denny powerline which is due to carry renewable energy from the Highlands and Islands.
The £120m Lewis project will be able to provide green electricity for 55,000 homes and will create about 150 construction jobs.

Originally, Mr Oppenheim planned to erect 133 turbines, reduced in 2004 to 53. Last year, his company announced an amended application for 39 turbines, totalling 140MW. This removed towers which would have been built in a national scenic area and damaged the view of the Callanish standing stones, about which campaigners had raised concerns.Mr Mather's decision further removes six turbines from the application, and the minister said he imposed conditions to protect the natural environment and cultural heritage.

The original proposal had attracted criticism on the grounds that it would adversely affect the view of the ancient Callanish standing stones

The islands' council has been promoting the area's potential for wind farm for many years, but plans for a £500m, 181-turbine development on Lewis were turned down in April 2008 by Scottish ministers, who decided the plan did not comply with European law on peatland wildlife habitats.

Mr Mather said yesterday: "Since the first proposals for a wind farm on Lewis were put forward, I have maintained that the Western Isles must be able to play its part in harnessing and benefiting from our vast green-energy potential. Today, we are making that reality."I am delighted that the application was able to be approved, bringing as it does substantial economic and community benefits to the islands."

He said the scheme could support existing firms, create new businesses and offer possibilities for the former oil fabrication yard at Arnish Point, near Stornoway, which has been used by the renewables industry.

Mr Mather said it also provides a stimulus for moves to have a grid inter-connector to the mainland.

Angus Campbell, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), said the decision was a key building block to opening the renewable energy potential of the Outer Hebrides, but Aedán Smith, head of planning and development with RSPB Scotland, is concerned the project has been approved in an area of great value to Scotland's natural heritage. It had one of the highest densities of golden eagles in the world, and he raised concerns about a lack of monitoring.

Helen McDade, head of policy at the John Muir Trust, said the decision eroded another area of "stunning wilderness", the day after the organisation launched a campaign to protect wild land from development.

Source: The Scotsman