Print
Help save the Lewis Peatlands
We are committed to tackling climate change. Whilst we support government targets to generate more electricity from renewable sources (the UK government aims to achieve 15% by 2015 and the Scottish Executive 40% by 2020), we cannot support any renewable generation proposal which would have a significant and adverse impact on wildlife and habitats, particularly sites which are protected by law specifically for their wildlife value.
RSPB action
Whenever we are consulted about a proposed wind farm development, we encourage developers to avoid important sites for wildlife and offer advice on how to minimize any adverse effects a development will have. We have also made the case for government at the UK and Scottish level to look more holistically at how renewable energy targets can be achieved without destroying our natural heritage.
Until a strategic approach is taken to the planning of renewable energy developments, long advocated by the RSPB, we will continue to oppose individual proposals which threaten precious wildlife sites.
Some of you may have heard about the proposal to build a windfarm on the Isle of Lewis in a recent episode of the BBC2 'Coast' programme or elsewhere in the media. Lewis Wind Power (Amec and British Energy) are proposing to build this large-scale development on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area - declared to protect the many species of birds that nest on, or use the area.
Now we need your help to save this fragile and special wildlife site.
On 12 December 2006, a revised proposal for the Lewis Wind Farm was submitted to the Scottish Executive (which will decide whether or not to approve the development). Despite the developers' attempts to reduce some of the negative impacts of the proposal on birds and their habitat, we remain gravely concerned.
We strongly believe this development should not go ahead. There would be significant negative impacts on the birdlife, and the peatlands.
Allowing a development of this scale to go ahead on a Special Protection Area for birds could put at risk the entire European network of protected wildlife sites.
The development remains huge in scale: 181 wind turbines, each 140 metres tall, mounted in concrete bases of up to 1,000 cubic metres, on an area designated for its special wildlife. There would be 30 kilometres of overhead electric cable supported by 137 pylons (each 27m high), and a similar length of underground cable; plus roads, quarries and no fewer than 8 electrical substations.
By moving turbines, creating 'buffer zones' and offering 'mitigation' for habitat loss, Lewis Wind Power consider they have addressed the threats to key bird species - including golden eagles, red and black throated divers, and merlins.
We are especially concerned about impacts on dunlins and golden plovers, which breed here in high densities. It is hard to see how serious impacts on these birds can be avoided.
The moor is a very special place, both in national and international terms. The fragile peatland habitat (blanket bog) is found only in a few areas in the world. Although the turbines could be taken down at the end of the development's twenty-year life span, the supporting infrastructure would cause irreversible damage to the structure of the peat, altering the water pattern and soil make-up forever.
One of the reasons put forward to justify this massive development is that it would bring an interconnector allowing electricity to be exported from the Western Isles to the mainland. This would enable the islands to be developed as a renewable energy powerhouse, creating local employment and bringing much-needed income to the community. We need renewables, but there are viable alternatives to this development, alternatives which would bring an interconnector.
The RSPB will be objecting to this wind farm in the strongest terms - but we are only one voice. The more objections that are received, the louder our collective voice can be heard. This is why we are asking you to take the time to write objecting to this development as soon as possible. Further information is available on our Save the Lewis Peatlands campaign pages (click on the link to the right).
How you can help
Even if you have written before - we urgently need to demonstrate how many people are concerned about the revised proposal. Please write again and register your objection to this scheme. Letters need to be with the Scottish Executive by the end of January, when the consultation period closes.
The address to write to is: Consents and Emergency Planning Unit, Scottish Executive, Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street, Glasgow G2 6AT or e-mail energyconsents@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
If you can write, and we do hope you will, please send copies of your submission and any response you receive to: Steven Roddy, The RSPB, Freepost ANG6335, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2BR. You can also email Steven at campaigns@rspb.org.uk
Please help us protect this valuable wildlife site - and thank you for your support.
Last modified: 05 January 2007
One of the most important and special areas for wildlife in Scotland and Europe is under threat from a proposed 181-turbine wind farm. The RSPB is in favour of generating more electricity from renewable sources, but not where it will cause a significant adverse impact on wildlife and habitats. More... |  |