Rural Community Gateway

Thousands of objections to Lewis Wind Power’s plans were submitted, as well as just under 100 letters of support. Ministers decided that the wind farm would have a serious impact on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, designated under the EC Birds Directive and protected under the EC Habitats Directive.

Energy Minister Jim 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.

"Nor does today's decision alter in any way this Government's unwavering commitment to harness Scotland's vast array of potentially cheap, renewable energy sources."

You can read Jim Mather’s statement in full on the Scottish Government website.

Bitter disappointment say Lewis Windpower

Lewis Wind Power say they are bitterly disappointed by the decisions. A statement on their website said, "Lewis Wind Power is bitterly disappointed by the Scottish Government’s decision to reject our proposal for a wind farm on Lewis. Over the 6 years of this project, we have conducted extensive environmental and economic studies and designed the development around these findings. As a result, we believe we had put forward a detailed case showing the benefits of our proposal and the benefits it would bring to Lewis, the Highlands & Islands region and to Scotland. We also believe that during our discussions with the Government, we demonstrated that this proposal could have been approved without violating European law."

You can read the statement in full on the Lewis Wind Power website.

Peatlands as carbon stores

The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) said the Scottish Government took the only rational decision. Dennis Dick, SWT Chair said, "Today’s decision sends out a clear message that the Scottish Government is serious and committed to the protection and sustainability of Scotland’s most important wildlife sites."

He continued, "Ministers have guaranteed the continued protection of this sensitive peatland. Furthermore, the decision reinforces the role and need for peatlands as stores of carbon."

Read SWT's objection to the Barvas Moor windfarm.

RSPB Scotland has been running a ‘Save the Lewis peatlands campaign’ on their website. You can read more about their objections here.

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