People power has persuaded Western Isles planners to give the go-ahead to a controversial £70 million windfarm.
Councillors breached their own policy and went against planning chiefs’ recommendation to refuse the 14 turbines scheme on crofters’ grazings in the North Tolsta district of Lewis.
Each turbine in the 42 MW development at Druim Leathann would be 126.5 metres high.
Officials highlighted 2020 Renewables’ scheme broke the official Western Isles Development Plan, is too close to villages and would impose significant impacts on landscape, amenity and homes.
Three quarters of the turbines lie inside a one mile buffer zone from houses which is contrary to council policy for large windfarms.
But an unprecedented proportion of residents want the scheme the planning committee was told this (Tues) afternoon.
Cllr Catriona Stewart pointed out that the 53 letters of support from locals with only one against was “clear cut” backing for the scheme.
There are less than 200 or so houses occupied in the area.
Cllr Rae Mackenzie stated: “The community (bar one) is unanimously in favour and we should listen to that view.”
The council should be wary of giving weight to faraway objectors when there was mass support from villagers stressed councillor Donald Neil Macleod.
Committee chairman Kenny Murray got the committee’s backing to replace the planning officials’ refusal recommendation with his own motion to approve.
That most of the Tolsta houses have a lovely view of Point and face away from the turbines was a significant factor, indicated his motion. In any case, the rugged moorland screened many of the machines.
However, councillors also failed to remove the most northerly turbine which Scottish Natural Heritage warns could affect golden eagles.
Crucially, it would help towards providing the critical mass needed to justify the building of a sub-sea interconnector needed to export energy from all island renewable scheme to southern mainland markets.
Without the cable, no sizeable wind farm will ever be constructed in the islands which supporters say jeopardises an economic boom and risks hundreds of jobs.
Alasdair Macleod of 2020 Renewables says community benefit payments could be worth £294,000 per year - £7 million over the lifetime of the development.
The wind farm would be expected to involve investment of £63 million in the Lewis economy and 70 jobs during construction as well as a number of full time jobs when operating.
After the decision Mr Macleod said: “Its great to get consent after many years of hard work and gives us the certainty to carry on to try and secure the grid connection and make the very large grid payment in early 2014. “
He added: “We have a grid connection of April 2017 but we think that is going to be delayed and we are waiting to hear from (grid operator) SSE by the end of this year for their latest expectations for the connection date.”
Before building can start, there must be safeguards in place avoid polluting the Loch Ionadagro reservoir which supplies drinking water to the wider area, to stop peat slides, ensure villagers still get TV reception, and to protect planes on a flight path for Stornoway airport.
The planning application is not expected to meet opposition when it goes to the full council for approval on Thursday night.
People power wins windfarm approval 26/11/13
The Tolsta moor with Alasdair Macleod of 2020 Renewables inset
