The Scottish Wildlife Trust has today lodged an objection to the proposed Stornoway windfarm which could cause a threat to European Protected Species such as red-throated diver and golden eagle and sensitive blanket bog habitat.

The proposed windfarm, developed by Lewis Wind Power Limited, is adjacent to the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area and less than a mile west of Stornoway.

Dr Maggie Keegan, the Scottish Wildlife Trust's National Planning Co-ordinator said:

“This proposed windfarm would be located next to the internationally protected Lewis Peatlands, so the developers must prove that the windfarm would not damage the internationally important bird populations present. 

Image (c) Bob Coyle

“We believe their survey methodologies are flawed and as decisions should be based on sound science we would urge the Scottish Government to follow the precautionary principle and reject this planning application. The developers admit that the windfarm will cause significant damage to blanket bog, a European Priority Habitat, and there has been little effort to compensate for this loss in the planning application.”

Click here to read the Scottish Wildlife Trust's objection in full.