Council overrides public opinion to approve plans for 209 turbines.
Plans to build Europe’s largest onshore wind farm on the Isle of Lewis, worth £400m, have been approved by the Western Isles Council despite more than 4000 objections. The application was passed by 19 votes to eight yesterday evening, and must now go before the Scottish Executive to receive planning permission.
The 209 turbines would be 122m tall, and would be built on Stornoway, Barvas and Galson. Constructing the wind farm would provide more than 300 jobs, which supporters of the scheme say are desperately needed on the island.
Some councillors have accused the authorities of ignoring public opinion, and the RSPB has warned that it will take the case to Europe if it is given the go-ahead. The matter now rests with the Scottish Executive, which may hold a public inquiry before making its final decision.
