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Lewis wind farm halted |
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Monday, 21 April 2008 |
A controversial wind farm project that would have seen 181 turbines installed on the Isle of Lewis has been refused consent by the Scottish Government.
The Government says the 651 megawatt project proposed by Lewis Windpower which attracted 10,924 objections and 98 letters of support would violate European law by directly impacting upon the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated under the EC Birds Directive and protected under the EC Habitats Directive.
Energy Minister Jim Mather said the decision did not mean the Government had abandoned the idea of onshore renewable energy projects in the Western Isles.
Mather said:
I have considered this application very carefully. I have listened to representations from the applicant, taken the views of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and considered the 10,924 objections and 98 letters of support. I visited Stornoway last month and heard at first hand a range of deeply held views. I have also taken ecological advice, and advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage. European legislation requires a specific procedure to be followed when proposals which could potentially affect Special Protection Areas come forward. I considered all the relevant issues and concluded it would not be possible to approve this application.
The Lewis Wind Farm would have significant adverse impacts on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated due to its high value for rare and endangered birds. This decision does not mean that there cannot be onshore wind farms in the Western Isles. I strongly believe the vast renewables potential needs to be exploited to ensure that the opportunities and benefits of new development can be shared across the country in an equitable fashion. That's why we will urgently carry out work on how to develop renewable energy in the Western Isles, in harmony with its outstanding natural heritage. This work will result in an action plan for sustainable development on the islands and will be ready in the autumn.
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said:
"I have long made clear my own view that the sheer scale and environmental impact of this project was such that it could not command the support of the communities most affected. That was not the view of some others in the islands, and they argued their case with integrity.
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