UK: Biggest onshore wind farm plan rejected

Plans for Britain’s biggest land-based wind farm were turned down by the Scottish government yesterday, in a landmark decision with wide implications for the future development of renewable energy in the UK.

The 181-turbine development on the Hebridean island of Lewis was vetoed by Scottish ministers because it was at odds with tough protection for wildlife sites afforded by European law.
The site was designated as the Lewis Peatlands special protection area under the EU’s birds directive to protect its rare breeding birds including the golden eagle, merlin, red-throated diver, black-throated diver, golden plover, dunlin and greenshank.

As the wind farm would have “significant adverse impacts” on the wildlife site and its birds, it was in effect legally impossible to approve, said Jim Mather, the Scottish Energy Minister.

The decision sends a clear signal to developers seeking to take part in the “wind rush” expected as part of the massive expansion of renewable energy signalled by the EU earlier this year.

It means their proposals will have to be in the right place, and they are likely to be refused if they conflict with the two EU wildlife laws – the birds directive and the habitats directive – which offer the strongest protection for wildlife sites in Britain.

Independent