Praise For Windfarms Consultation Process

The Vice-Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr. Angus Campbell, has thanked the Chief Planner at the Scottish Executive for his endorsement of the Comhairle’s consultation process in forming a view on the two windfarm applications for Lewis.

Scotland’s Chief Planner, Mr. Jim Mackinnon, was giving a presentation to the Environmental Services Committee of the Comhairle yesterday.

Mr. Campbell said: “Some people have claimed that the Comhairle’s process in reaching a view on the windfarm applications was flawed. Some have even claimed there should be a public inquiry into the process. They are wrong. We have always said that we made every effort to hear all views and to take on board all sides of the arguments. Now we have had the Chief Planner from the Scottish Executive complimenting the Comhairle on the robustness and thoroughness of the process. I would like to thank him for that endorsement”.

Mr. Mackinnon also paid compliment to the Comhairle’s Local Plan and praised officers for the amount of work that had gone into the process.

The Chairman of Environmental Services, Cllr Angus Nicolson, said: "We were happy with the windfarms consultation which we felt was comprehensive and that view has been backed up by Scotland's Chief Planner. I would also thank him for his recognition of the work of the officers of the Comhairle in producing the Local Plan".

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk