Wind farm on Lewis overruled

Wildlife campaigners in Scotland are celebrating following Scottish MPs’ rejection of plans to build Europe’s biggest ever wind farm on the Isle of Lewis.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said the decision to decline the planning application for the £500 million project was made to protect the environment, and because of widespread public opposition. In total the public submitted 10,000 objections to the planning application.

He added that Scotland is still on track to meet its target of producing 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, and that the rejection of this application does not mean that wind farms will never be built on the Western Isles.

Supporters of the wind farm have expressed their disappointment, pointing out that it would have brought in £600 million every year, as well as giving much needed jobs to the fragile economy of the Western Isles.

Critics of the plans, however, are celebrating victory. They were concerned that the wind farm was to be built on a rare peat bog, and would disturb the local birdlife habitat.

Scotland currently has 454 wind turbines. Planning applications for 203 more have been approved, whilst applications for 1,700 more in 28 locations are currently being processed. Two of these locations are on the Western Isles.