Ms Lesley Thomson
Scottish Executive
Consents and Emergency Planning Unit
Meridian Court
5 Cadogan Street
Glasgow

10 December 2004

Dear Ms Thomson

Proposed Lewis Wind Power Station

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) objects to the proposals for a 234-turbine wind power development on the Isle of Lewis.

We believe it would be wrong to develop such a massive industrial factory on a site that is renowned for its wildlife, landscape and tourism values. The proposed wind factory is of such a large scale that the damage created would harm an important area that is legally protected.

Tourism in the Western Isles is estimated to be worth £33 million per year, with many of its visitors heading for the Harris Mountains and remote moorland areas of Lewis. In our view, large-scale industrialisation of the Lewis moorlands would have a serious impact on the unspoilt image of the islands and would lead to a significant reduction in visitor numbers to the Western Isles. The economy of the islands depends on tourism, and an attitude of “they will keep coming whatever we do to the islands”, is irresponsible and dangerous.

The MCofS is also objecting to this proposal on the basis that the consequences of this scheme would be damage to prime mountain areas on the Scottish mainland. The transmission of the electricity that the proposed Lewis factory would produce looks likely to impact on parts of the West Highlands, and this must not be allowed to happen. There is a total lack of joined up thinking if these proposals can be considered and passed as part of a separate exercise to the consideration of the transmission route.

Many people who visit the Western Isles would state that seeing wildlife was a main reason for their decision to travel to the islands. The impact on wildlife, especially birds, that this proposed scheme would have is quite alarming and is a further reason why this proposed development should not be allowed to proceed.

The MCofS urges the Scottish Executive to reject this proposal, but failing this we would at the very least expect you to initiate a public inquiry to

Tourism is worth over £33 million a year to the economy of the Western Isles, accounting for over 14 per cent of the area's GDP.  Macpherson Research 2002

Yours sincerely

Mike Dales
Access and Conservation Officer