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SWAG Website Update - 18th June 2007

  • The Skye Windfarm Action Group (SWAG) has received written confirmation from the European Commission that it is continuing to go through the due processes, which could lead to possible legal action against the UK authorities, due to Highland Council's grant of planning permission for the Edinbane Wind Farm, Isle of Skye.

  • This has given SWAG the confidence to instruct their legal team to instigate proceedings for a judicial review against Highland Council.

  • SWAG hopes that such action will cause Highland Council to realise that compliance with European Law is mandatory and that they cannot ignore planning guidance and their own Renewable Energy Strategy at will.

  • SWAG is not only taking this action on its own behalf, but also in the hope that it may help to stop the rash of all the ill sited developments that could soon envelop Highland if nothing is done.

  • SWAG considers that it is appalling that the public must launch such action at their own expense in order to ensure that the law is upheld, something that the Scottish Executive should be doing.

  • It is essential that the decision by Highland Council be challenged, which means going to court. If you feel able to assist us in this fight that has implications fro the whole of Scotland, please see below for details of where to send your contributions.received.

 

SWAG Website Update-18th March 2007

  • At the Hearing for the Edinbane Wind Farm held at the Aros Centre in Portree on Friday 9th March, Highland Council approved the AMEC application.

  • The application is for 18 turbines, 100 metre high, on hills above the village of Edinbane.

  • The application was unanimously approved, though without an actual vote, by the 14 out of a potential 36 members that actually attended the Hearing. It could appear that those councillors who have opposed such developments chose to absent themselves from the proceedings.

  • Members chose to approve the application, despite legal action having been implemented against the UK authorities in respect of Edinbane and in contravention of European legislation.

  • Well over 1600 ornithologists throughout the world objected to this application and there were well in excess of 2300 objections in total. From the village of Edinbane itself there were 4 times as many objections lodged, as letters of support and from the Island over twice as many objections as letters of support.

  • There has been no independent assessment by suitably qualified experts of the AMEC Peatslide Report, despite both SEPA and the British Geological Society advising Highland Council this was necessary. The council's 'geotechnical expert' has stated that the developers report is acceptable, albeit with a caveat absolving both him and Highland Council Planning Department from any and all responsibility for any flooding, peat slide etc. It would appear that this recommendation was given without any site visit.

  • Highland Council chose to ignore its own Renewable Energy Strategy for which they are to receive A PLANNING AWARD. This policy places Edinbane in an area 'with a presumption against development of major and national on shore wind farms'. Two applications in this area have now been approved, despite the fact that other areas in North Skye have been designated as being more suitable.
  • Health report by Dr Nina Pierpont (8th Feb 2006)

SWAG Website Update - 5th March 2007

  • Scottish Natural Heritage has withdrawn its objection to the Edinbane Wind Farm proposal and the Director of Planning is recommending approval. The hearing will be on 9th March at the Aros Centre, Portree.

  • The Director of Planning’s recommendation is in clear breach of European Law and he is likely to have put himself and Highland Council on a collision course with the European Commission.

  • The crux of the matter is that the Edinbane Wind Farm has the potential to affect the Cuillin Golden Eagle SPA and as such an ‘appropriate assessment’ must be produced, based on the ‘best available science’. It also has to show ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’ that the SPA will not be affected. Alternative solutions must also have been considered. Neither of these issues has been adequately dealt with by Highland Council.

  • The Edinbane Wind farm is predicted to kill almost 1 eagle per year, one of the highest attrition rates in Scotland. RSPB state that even the 0.2-0.3 predicted eagle deaths for the nearby Ben Aketil Wind Farm could have an adverse effect on Skye’s Golden Eagle population.

  • Highland Council has wasted £250,000+ of our money on its Renewable Energy Strategy. Edinbane is sited in an area ‘with a presumption against the development of major and on shore wind farms’. Many other proposals are also sited in such areas.

  • Highland Council should not be permitted to get away with its attempt to violate large areas of Highland scenery with turbines. Protection is available in Highland Council’s own Structure Plan, Local Plans and the Renewable Energy Strategy. However, the Council appears to ignore the very guidelines that offer such protection to local residents, the tourist industry and landscape issues.

  • SWAG has been working closely with its lawyers and believes that there is a case for a legal challenge. This is widely recognised as a potential ‘test case’ and SWAG is therefore asking for donations to help in this ongoing fight. All donations, however small, will be gratefully received.

  • Scottish Mountaineer

    The pdf file is from the magazine published on 7th February 2007 and clearly shows the origin of the correspondence. Should the reader be in any doubt - the individual referred to in the SWAG letter is the ex- energy minister Brian Wilson.

Amec Objection 5th February 2007

Online Objection:

Use the on line objection form to register your objection. Please add a comment in your own words. This will ensure that your objection is recognised and counted as an individual objection
Skye Windfarm Action Group 2005