D
Duncan Gray
Guest
As Chris and I were discussing in the F&M thread, a planning application has
been made to build a massive windfarm on the Isle of Lewis.
While it is obviously difficult to argue against generation of power by
green means, I think this is unacceptable in an area of outstanding beauty
and environmental sensitivity.
The proposed windfarm stretches over about 40km and would have 234 turbines.
The applicants have produced an environmental study which estimates 50
golden eagles and many other birds will die during the lifespan of the
windfarm, which will be 25 years
The scale of it can be judgesd from the map on
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/windfarms/lewis.html
There are links on the page leading to more information.
As the scheme would lie almost entirely within The Lewis Peatlands Special
Protection Area, classified under the European Council Directive on the
Conservation of Wild Birds, the application will be judged by the Scottish
Executive, not the local council.
My objection is based on the following arguments:
1. The Executive should defend the Special Protection Area and resist
incursions like these.
2. In global terms, this is going to have an insignificant effect on climate
change. Tourism is a major industry in the area, and the attraction there is
the scenery. The scenic beauty will be considerably diminished by mile after
mile of wind turbines. We should not be sacrificing our industries while
other countries, and you know the one I have in mind, continue to pollute to
protect their industries.
3. There is a desperate need for a long term energy strategy. As well as
this application, there are other plans to build power lines across wild
land in the Highlands and rebuild the connecting line southwards. There
needs to be a strategy in place before applications of such scale and
sensitivity should be considered.
If anyone else wants to make an objection, the appropriate e-mail address is
on the above web page. It has to be submitted by next monday, the 13th.
--
Duncan Gray
www.duncolm.co.uk
also The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk
been made to build a massive windfarm on the Isle of Lewis.
While it is obviously difficult to argue against generation of power by
green means, I think this is unacceptable in an area of outstanding beauty
and environmental sensitivity.
The proposed windfarm stretches over about 40km and would have 234 turbines.
The applicants have produced an environmental study which estimates 50
golden eagles and many other birds will die during the lifespan of the
windfarm, which will be 25 years
The scale of it can be judgesd from the map on
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/windfarms/lewis.html
There are links on the page leading to more information.
As the scheme would lie almost entirely within The Lewis Peatlands Special
Protection Area, classified under the European Council Directive on the
Conservation of Wild Birds, the application will be judged by the Scottish
Executive, not the local council.
My objection is based on the following arguments:
1. The Executive should defend the Special Protection Area and resist
incursions like these.
2. In global terms, this is going to have an insignificant effect on climate
change. Tourism is a major industry in the area, and the attraction there is
the scenery. The scenic beauty will be considerably diminished by mile after
mile of wind turbines. We should not be sacrificing our industries while
other countries, and you know the one I have in mind, continue to pollute to
protect their industries.
3. There is a desperate need for a long term energy strategy. As well as
this application, there are other plans to build power lines across wild
land in the Highlands and rebuild the connecting line southwards. There
needs to be a strategy in place before applications of such scale and
sensitivity should be considered.
If anyone else wants to make an objection, the appropriate e-mail address is
on the above web page. It has to be submitted by next monday, the 13th.
--
Duncan Gray
www.duncolm.co.uk
also The Mountaineering Council of Scotland
www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk