The Environment and Protective Services Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has, at its meeting this week, condemned a decision by the Scottish Executive to hold a Public Inquiry into a three turbine community windfarm proposed by the North Harris Trust.

Chairman of the Environment and Protective Services Committee, Norman A Macdonald said:
“It is extremely disappointing that a scheme proposed by the community and supported by the Planning Authority, who are the democratically elected representatives of the Western Isles, has now been referred to a possibly lengthy and costly public inquiry.  We are constantly being told that renewable energy is the way forward and we have to act to stop climate change but even a small community project, which has been through a due planning process, cannot go ahead without an inquiry.  I would urge the Executive to reconsider their decision and allow this application to proceed without the requirement of an unnecessary Public Local Inquiry”

It was recently determined by Scottish Ministers that the development will be considered at a Public Local Inquiry which followed from advice from SNH that the proposal impacted upon the National Scenic Area.