| OUTER HERBIDES COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP - OHCPP EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT AT LEWIS WINDPOWER DECISION | 24 April 2008 |
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Following yesterday’s meeting of the OHCPP, Chairman, Alex Macdonald, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said – “The decision by the Scottish Government to refuse planning consent for the Lewis Wind Farm in Northern Lewis represents a huge missed opportunity for the Government to meet its national renewable energy targets and for the economy of the Western Isles to receive a sizeable sustainable long term boost. In particular, the refusal is a desperate blow for the future viability of the Arnish Point Fabrication Yard which has been the recipient of a major investment package in recent years to meet the needs of the energy turbine market. Although the Energy Minister, Jim Mather, made encouraging noises that the Western Isles is not out of the Scottish Renewable Energy picture, it is now time for the Government and those representing the Western Isles in Westminster and Edinburgh to come forward with fresh proposals to sustain and re-energise the economy of the Western Isles. The Scottish Government needs to be more proactive in helping The Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership to address the serious socio-economic issues facing the Islands at this particular time”.Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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