| Development Trust Public Meetings |
05 December 2005 |
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£1.404m per year is the anticipated income from Community Benefit for the Western Isles if proposals for the Lewis Wind Power windfarm in the north of Lewis get the go ahead from the Scottish Executive. In addition, there will be options to purchase a stake in the windfarm and shares in Lewis Wind Power. The deal is part of a package of measures negotiated by the Western Isles Development Trust (WIDT). Representatives of the Development Trust are this week embarking upon a series of public meetings across the Western Isles to gather information on the kinds of projects communities think the Trust should be supporting. A second windfarm application by Beinn Mhor Power is also awaiting a decision from the Scottish Executive and would generate £610,000 per annum for the local community. 25% of the windfarm would be in community ownership whilst 30% of revenues generated would be allocated to WIDT for wider community benefit throughout the Western Isles. WIDT is seeking to promote sustainable, economic, social and environmental activity across the Western Isles through community benefits generated from renewable energy projects. Peter Carlin, Chairman of the Development Trust, said; “These benefits would generate a lot of much needed economic and social activity in our communities but the benefits will only accrue if the windfarm projects are approved by the Scottish Executive. This is a window of opportunity for the Western Isles and it would be a blow if that opportunity was lost”. The Development Trust public meetings are being held as follows: * Breasclete Community Centre (Tuesday 6 December) All meetings start at 7.00pm. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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