Windfarm illegal?
Posted: Saturday, 17 February 2007 |
Readers in the island and northern Scotland will have seen the headline exclusive in the Press and Journal today, Saturday 17 February. The RSPB has now asserted that approving the planning application, as submitted by Lewis Wind Power in December 2006 was not legal.
Oops.
Apparently, a large area of land on which the windfarm is proposed to be constructed is subject to European directives. These were not taken into account by LWP, and neither did the Comhairle make any effort to force LWP to upgrade its environmental impact study to take that into account.
The Scottish Executive is next in line to cast its eye over the application and they say they will take ALL aspects into account. Let's hope this includes the environmental side rather more than the Comhairle did. Methinks our councillors were more interested in the money and the perceived benefits. What benefits?
A public inquiry now looks on the cards, and European involvement also appears to be more and more certain. The EU doesn't take too kindly to officials who conveniently forget about their directives.
I don't know if this is acceptable on Island Blogging, but I liked this image
Oops.
Apparently, a large area of land on which the windfarm is proposed to be constructed is subject to European directives. These were not taken into account by LWP, and neither did the Comhairle make any effort to force LWP to upgrade its environmental impact study to take that into account.
The Scottish Executive is next in line to cast its eye over the application and they say they will take ALL aspects into account. Let's hope this includes the environmental side rather more than the Comhairle did. Methinks our councillors were more interested in the money and the perceived benefits. What benefits?
A public inquiry now looks on the cards, and European involvement also appears to be more and more certain. The EU doesn't take too kindly to officials who conveniently forget about their directives.
I don't know if this is acceptable on Island Blogging, but I liked this image
Comments
That's a very misleading picture, AL. The correct height for the politician's toilet is 140 metres to the apex of the roof...
Firinn from In the can
It's pretty harmless compared to some... There must be a deal of significance attached to the pollytiians being conveniently on top of the voters. And yet, the puzzle is, we put them there....how does that work?
Flying Cat from a thunderbox
The RSPB are really clutching at straws now, and the gullible are believing them. The legal implications were taken into account by the Comhairle and LWP when the issue was first raised years, ago. Interesting to see you know that a Public Inquiry is on the cards -- perhaps you'd like to share the basis for this claim with us mere mortals.
Cllr Angus Nicolson from Stornoway
Cllr Angus Nicolson - insulting the opposition may make you feel good, but it also insults our intelligence. Have you read the detailed reasons why RSPB think this application is contrary to European law? I have, and despite your bluster, I don't see any way the Scottish Executive is going to dare give this project the go ahead, and expose themselves to massive fines from the European Commission. Our councillors don't seem to want to hear anything that contradicts their fabulously rose tinted view of how this project will benefit the islands. No doubt they had the same optimistic outlook when advised they could make a fortune with BCCI........
C.M from Lewis
Well cllr. Nicolson, you never mentioned that you were a mere mortal before. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am to mine, however let's not get too bitter and twisted here. I am not saying that you are B&T. just a note to others, keep it civilised.
Tws from Castle Ward
I liked the picture so much I sent it onwards .. I assume the structure was built without benefit of a permit from council?
mjc from NM,USA
Well said, CM. It is the council whose position is very tenuous indeed on this matter, not the environmental bodies - they are doing their job well enough. The council however are trying to bluster their way through this charade without bothering to explain their pretty appalling behaviour regarding their 'consultations', or lack of them, with the public. Not that the council cares very much about public opinion, as they are well aware that the environmental bodies such as the RSPB & SNH, and ONLY the evironmental bodies, can stop these applications. Perhaps Cllr. Nicolson can clear up the matter of the legality, or otherwise, of interposed leases for us mere mortals...
Firinn from Lewis
Curious you should mention that, Firinn, because that raises the spectre of the Eishken windfarm. And of course the stalled community buy-out in Pairc - stalled thanks to interposed leases by you-know-who. The Land Court has this matter in consideration - resolution expected within 5 years.
Arnish Lighthouse from Stornoway
I have been in Lewis since late 2004 and am observing life on this fascinating island from an outsider's perspective. I look out at the lighthouse every day - as it looks out over the island and the sea. 
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