NEW WEBSITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION -
The new site is still under construction so again our apologies if pages are found incomplete or some links are not yet working.
BREAKING NEWS
See below for other news and media coverage
UPDATE 24/07/2008
WESTERN ISLES TRANSMISSION SYSTEM UPGRADES
Residents in Gravir, Pairc have received a letter from SSE informing them that the company will be proeeding with their proposals to apply for the sub-sea cable landing in the village. SSE will also consider providing a pavement and street lighting in the village.
MUAITHEABHAL WINDFARM, EISHKEN ESTATE (Important Bird Area UK244) An Inquiry to examine the impact of the Muaitheabhal Windfarm on the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area was held Caladh Inn, James Street Stornoway Isle of Lewis between the 13th and 27 of May 2008. The Reporter is expected to publish her recommendation in autumn 2008.
Closing Submissions will be published on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar website as they are submitted:
FEIRIOSBHAL WINDFARM, EISHKEN ESTATE (Important Bird Area UK244) Section 75 agreements required to allow the Feiriosbhal windfarm to proceed have now been concluded - see below for media coverage. Previously the Environment and Protective Services Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar decided to approve 13 of the 16 turbines in the north east sector of the BMP Ltd application on the Eishken Estate in south east Lewis. The Scottish government
announced that they would not be calling in the application, leaving the Local authority to proceed with the consents procedure.
PAIRC WINDFARM, PAIRC ESTATE A application by SSE PLC to build a 205MW windfarm on Pairc Estate, Isle of Lewis, was put before Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in 2007. It was decided to recommend that the Scottish Ministers approve only 26 of turbines. It is understood that SSE will be submitting a revised application in 2008.
LEWIS WINDFARM, BARVAS MOOR - REFUSED 2008
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Recent media coverage
The following is a selection of articles, more can be found in the Archive section - see left menu.
July 24 2008
Isles first major wind farm gets final permission
Three Eishken estate community benefit deals made legal
Windfarm Agreement Signed
July 14 2008
Plans shape up for Gravir energy cable
Amec to sell off Lewis wind farm
July 13 2008
Scottish & Southern Energy bid for Irish Energia
"Amec, meanwhile, has put its wind-farm unit up for sale, heralding an ignominious end to the engineering group’s eight-year effort to build itself into one of the industry’s top players."
June 11 2008
First major wind farm for Lewis gets go-ahead
Major marine wind farm proposal for Western Isles
Older news items relating to all windfarm developments on the Outer Hebrides are to be found in the Archive
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
March 2008 NEW GOVERNMENT REPORT - The Economic Impacts of Wind Farms on Scottish Tourism
The official press release accompanying publication of the new tourism report does not provide an indication of serious issues that the study raises, including potentially serious damage to some local tourism operators in areas where windfarms are proposed. We recommend at least reading the Executive Summary in order to gain a better perspective on this research. (See in Archive section for press coverage)
October 2007 - The Scottish national campaign group Views of Scotland have published two reports on the Lewis windfarms for the SNP Conference.
"Carbon savings and wind power on Lewis" provides an analysis of the CO2 emissions that could be offset by the schemes, from the developers claims through to scenarios taking account of potential CO2 emissions from degraded peat disturbed by the developments.
"Public attitudes to wind power on Lewis" brings together the results of the measures of public opinion which have been undertaken on the island from the first survey by the North Lewis windfarm Survey Group to the recent Pairc Community Council Ballot, as well as the number of objections to each proposal.
Download both reports at: http://www.viewsofscotland.org/snp_conference/
MWT would like to express our thanks to Views of Scotland for their support !
LIVE CONSULTATIONS
There are currently no live windfarm consultations.
LEWIS -THE 40 MILE WINDFARM ?
Should they gain consent, the three windfarm planning applications currently under consideration would see turbines, roads, quarries, transmission lines and other infrastructure stretching almost continuously for around 40 miles across the Lewis moorland (see 'Lewis Windfarm Map'). Individually and in combination these are some of the most environmentally damaging and unnecessary industrial developments currently proposed in the UK threatening internationally important populations of protected species and peatlands.
The majority of land where the windfarms are proposed is currently occupied under tennancy by hundreds of Lewis crofters over 700 of whom have already formally stated their intention to resist any attempt by the developers to gain possession of the land. In addition over 16,000 objections have been sent to the Scottish Government regarding the proposals from home and abroad and the numbers are still increasing. On the island out of 26 measures of public opinion ranging from village ballots to MORI polls not one has recorded majority support.
For more information please go to Lewis Windfarms Overview which provides a summary of the issues, or the project pages which can be found in the left menu bar.
Please help us fight to save the Lewis moorland and make sure that the new Scottish Government is aware of the strength of opposition to these proposals.
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION DOWNLOADS
Even if you have objected already please download an objection to all three windfarms (Lewis Wind Farm, Pairc Wind Farm, Muaitheabhal Wind Farm) and send it to the Scottish Executive. Two posters are also available for display, if you would like a laminated version, please send your address to: mwt@semantise.com
Poster Downloads:
ABOUT US
We are Lewis residents, who are alarmed and concerned at the various proposed windfarm developments for our island. Our concerns are:
- a lack of public discussion on these developments;
- the failure to ascertain the views of the people who are most affected;
- the visual impact ;
- Environmental - irreversible damage to blanket bog, adverse affects to bird habitat and life,
effects on natural water channels, rivers and lochans;
- Adverse affect on crofting, tourism and our way of life;
- Encroachment on a SPA (Special Protection Area) which has been designated by Europe
and which should be protected, and on the habitats of species protected under European law.
- that a public resource can be used so readily by a private company to make profit
- Disregard for the natural heritage of our island
- Lack of a coherent renewable energy policy for these islands from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the
local authority
We began with informal meetings in each others homes, progressed onto more public meetings and have now galvanised ourselves into a formal opposition group to the inappropriate developments that are being proposed for Lewis. We have a steering group, a number of sub-groups and an increasing number of people who subscribe to our aims and whom we regularly keep in contact with via email and telephone. If you would like to join this list, please go to the contact section. We welcome everybody who shares our aims to join and support our effort.
Our Aims
(a) “To protect the Lewis landscape, its people and economy against inappropriate industrial developments, such as the currently proposed windfarm schemes; and to oppose the pylon-isation of the Highlands and Islands.
(b) To be a small active group that encourages, supports and mobilises the wider population in opposition of inappropriate developments.
(c) To liaise with all interested parties in relation to (a) & (b) above
How to help
MWT has now been existence for over 4 years - During this time many hundreds of hours have been spent undertaking research, preparing information, printing, copying videos, delivering literally thousands of information leaflets and objection letters accross the island, organising meetings .. the list is endless.
We have only been able to acheive this through the dedication of volunteers willing to give their time, energy and skills. The costs of the campaign over 4 years have been met purely by donations, often small, a pound or two, for which we are extremely grateful.
Please help us continue to fight for the Lewis Moorland and its people.
We have a bank account in the name of “Mòinteach gun Mhuileann” with the Clydesdale Bank, Stornoway branch, Sort Code: 82-69-25, Account: 90048349……….
A standing order form is also available (in PDF format) here. MGM-SO.pdf
We can now accept donations via Paypal. Please send these from your Paypal account to: mwt@semantise.com.
Any amount would be gratefully appreciated. Mòran taing. Thank you.
CONTACT US
mwt@semantise.com (clicking on the address will open your mail client)
MWT,1 North Bragar, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9DA
Fàilte gu Crystal Rig
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