SUBMISSION FROM MOINTEACH GUN MHUILEAN MOORLANDS WITHOUT TURBINES

Visit to Lewis, Monday 24 April 2006

We are aware that the purpose of your visit is with regard to crofting issues. However, we take strong exception to the inclusion of John Price from Lewis Wind Power in the proceedings.

We are concerned that you are fully aware of the level of opposition to the proposed large-scale windfarm developments on the . The following provides a review of indicators.

To date 17 measures of public opinion on the Western Isles, ranging from grazing committee ballots to a Western Isles wide BBC/MORI poll, have found significant majority opposition to the proposals. Table 1 provides a summary of survey findings.

Further, in response to the two planning applications currently being considered, the Scottish Executive has received over 9, 500 representations objecting to the proposals1 2with approximately 77% originating on the Western Isles. (Only 38 letters of support have been submitted)

Measured opposition to the proposals is most significant in the areas directly affected by the proposals, where consistently up to 80% of the population has expressed its opposition. The strength of public opposition was reflected in the voting of councillors in wards where ballots were held (see Map 1), representing ward populations of approximately 6000 people. This opposition is present in spite of the ‘community benefit’ incentives that are being offered by the developers.

However, there is widespread support for small renewable projects, for example, a number of wind turbines have already been erected and a small marine project is also being pursued within the communities affected by the Lewis Wind Power proposal. In contrast, the large-scale windfarm proposals will involve extensive destruction of common grazings, peat cuttings and the traditional fabric of crofting in the affected areas. In addition to turbines, the construction of the Lewis Windfarm alone, will involve the creation of 167km of road, 2.5 million tonnes of peat spoil, and up to 6 open- cast quarries extending over 162 ha (approximately 4 million m3 of aggregate). We are also concerned for the long-term ‘health and safety’ implications for moor users.

The Lewis Wind Power proposal is being promoted by Alasdair Morrison MP against the wishes of the community, despite his own repeated reassurances, to the community, that this development will not be forced upon us. Similarly Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has recommended approval of the developments. However it is clear that the main benefits arising from the current proposals will be to

1 http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-05/wa1208.htm http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-05/wa1209.htm 2 Energy Consents Dept: Personal Correspondence 31/01/06 those in the supply chain and other islands, at the expense of over 30 communities that will be directly affected.

In this context we urge you to consider that crofting is at the heart of maintaining families in rural Lewis. Crofting Reform must work in tandem with Land Reform, to further strengthen the crofting communities, and support diversification and sustainable development. In this respect, the situation where it is possible for large and destructive developments to be imposed on unwilling communities, by developers and landlords must be addressed.

Consideration should be given to the important role of crofting in maintaining ’s natural heritage and biodiversity. The environmental importance of the Lewis moorland is reflected by international conservation designations345 to protect primarily birds and peatland habitats. Globally, wetlands including peatlands are recognised to hold over three times as much carbon by area as tropical rainforest6. It should be noted that the promotion of sustainable agricultural and the preservation of carbon sinks and stores are both obligations under the Kyoto Protocol7.

We hope that the information provided aids in the consideration of the evidence that you will hear today.

3 Lewis Peatlands NATURA 2000 (Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation), RAMSAR 4 North Harris Mountains NATURA 2000 ( Special Protection Area) 5 Park Important Bird Area 6 Windfarms and Carbon Savings, Scottish Natural Heritage (2000) 7 Kyoto Protocol, Article 2 (ii) and (iii)

Table1: Western Isles Windfarms Public Opinion 20/04/06 Date Area Windfarm Agency Methodology For Against Neutral Don’t Base/ ref Know (Return) % % % %

12/05 Ness/Westside LWP Airidhantuim CC Ballot 30 70 329 (70%) 19 05/05 South Lochs LWP/ Cromore Dev’ Assoc Ballot LWP 12 66 22 41 (75%) 18 BMP/ BMP 28 38 33 42 (76%) * SSE SSE 29 56 13 44 (80%) 06/05 , Lewis LWP CC Ballot 26.2 67.2 6.6 1079 (60.1%) 17 05/05 Kinloch, Lewis BMP Community Led Ballot 23 56 12 172 (52%) 16 05/05 Sandwick, Lewis LWPr Sandwick CC Postal Ballot 32 55 12 621(60.5%) 15 05/05 Nis/Ness, Lewis LWP Ness CC Postal Ballot 12 83 5 unknown 14 04/05 North Harris BMP North Harris CC Postal Ballot 25 75 528 (70%) 13 04/05 South Harris BMP South Harris CC Postal Ballot 35 65 334 (60%) 12 03/05 Western Isles BMP/ Western Isles TB Postal LWF 26 73 139 (35%) 11 LWP Survey BMP 29 70 03/05 Lewis & Harris WI general BBC/MORI Poll Tel’ WF General 36 47 12 802 10 survey WF Local 29 55 12 12/04 Loch Seaforth, BMP Harris Turbine Group Survey 4 96 49 (96%) 9 Harris 12/04 West side, Lewis LWP CC Postal Ballot 20 73 7 (64.3%) 8 11/04 West side, Lewis LWP & Brue CC Postal Ballot 15.23 67.6 17.2 151 (70%) 7 09/04 Lewis/Harris BMP/Tourism Beinn Mhor Power Ltd Telephone Survey 5.2 31.5 63 38 (88%) 6 survey 07/04 West side, Lewis LWP North Grazings Ballot 16 84 25 (54%) 5 Committee West side, Lewis LWP South Bragar Grazings Ballot 36 64 55 (84%) 4 Committee 08/04 Ness / West side, LWP North Lewis Windfarm Survey/telephone poll 7.7 88.4 3.9 1426 3* Lewis Survey Group* 08/04 Ness / West side, LWP North West Lewis Visitor Self report questionaire 10 90 276 (NA) 2 Lewis Survey 06/04 Western Isles LWP Fios - Community Paper Postal Reader Survey 33 56 11 433 (57%) 1 2004 Western Isles General/ WIAREP/SNH Postal Survey NA NA NA NA B Landscape 2002 Scotland General/ Visit Scotland Interview NA NA NA NA A Tourism * These surveys also asked and found support for small community owned windfarms. A, B • Both of these studies involved surveys on the Western Isle but were not designed to gauge public opinion directly. Please see accompanying notes. Map 1:

Table: Representation in Windfarm Decisions – Wards Opposed Ward Ward Populations LWP BMP Application Application Manor Park 891 891 891 Laxdale 775 775 Port of Ness 710 710 710 Barvas and 887 887 887

Shawbost 742 742 742 Harris West 1036 1036 1036 Harris East 948 948 948 Lochmaddy 893 893 Dell 794 794 Total 7676 6882 6008