The planning application submitted to Western Isles Council by a crofters consortium known as Sandwick North Street is for the erection and 25-year operation of a single wind turbine up to five metres, and associated infrastructure. Sandwick North Street’s project is one of the four community schemes that are in conflict with an application for 36 turbines from French-owned Lewis Wind Power’s development of the same site. If it goes ahead, the single turbine, would be close to the three Beinn Ghrideag turbines owned by Point and Sandwick Trust, as it is already on the North Street grazings on Pentland Road. Lewis Wind Power , a multinational company EDF Energy and Wood Group, with a lease from landowner Stornoway Trust, is seeking to develop a 36-turbine wind farm. The rights to develop the land is currently the subject of legal proceedings in the Scottish Land Court. The court held its first hearing in the case in Stornoway in December. Planning applications from the other three crofting townships – Melbost and Branahuie, Aignish and Sandwick East, and Lower Sandwick – are expected to be lodged over the next few months. Together the four townships are seeking to develop a total of 21 turbines.
Press & journal 17th Jan 2019 read more »