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Lewis Windfarm
Success for Lewis Peatlands Campaign!
SWT's campaign to protect the Lewis Peatlands from a 181 turbine wind farm development was a great success. The Trust wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all those who wrote letters of objection and donated vital funds to enable us to fight this landmark campaign.
History of the campaign
In April 2008 Scottish Ministers took the right decision by refusing planning permission for the giant Lewis Windfarm. They agreed with SWT by recognising that the project would have a serious impact on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated under the European Commission (EC) Birds Directive and protected under the EC Habitats Directive.
As far back as December 2004, SWT originally objected to the installation of 234 turbines and construction of 104 miles of road on internationally important peatlands on the Isle of Lewis. Despite huge outcry from environmental organisations and the local community, developers resubmitted plans for 181 wind turbines and 88 miles of road network.
Irreversible damage to habitat and species
The natural hydrology of the peatlands would have been severely compromised by this development leading to a deterioration of the habitat and the rich wildlife communities it supports. The density of important bird species in this area is well documented and the development would have resulted in significant impacts on species such as golden plover and dunlin, both of which breed on the vast 'moorlands'.
In addition, active peatlands act as an effective mechanism for fixing and storing carbon. If peatlands are damaged they can release massive amounts of stored carbon as carbon dioxide adding to global warming.
European conservation legislation
The Lewis Peatlands are some of the most extensive and intact areas of blanket bog on the planet. For this reason it has been awarded the highest levels of protection through the Ramsar Convention and European Habitat Regulations. The Scottish Government recognised this and are to be commended in their decision to refuse planning permission. Allowing damage to the Lewis Peatlands would have been in clear contravention of EU conservation laws.
More information
Contact Tony King (Head of Policy) on 0131 312 7765
More>>Read a The Guardian's article on the Lewis Peatlands by SWT's Jonny Hughes
