SCOTTISH Natural Heritage (SNH) and RSPB Scotland have both withdrawn their objections to a substantial wind farm on Lewis after the developer reduced the number of turbines to help protect golden eagles.
SNH, the Scottish Government's environmental adviser, will now tell ministers that Lewis Wind Power's (LWP) proposed wind farm on the outskirts of Stornoway can be accommodated, making a public inquiry less likely.
It has worked with LWP – a joint venture between Amec, EDF Energy and the Stornoway Trust – to address outstanding concerns in relation to the possible impact on golden eagles and red-throated divers in the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area (SPA).
LWP provided additional information and cut the number of turbines from 42 to 36 to safeguard the SPA.
David Maclennan, SNH area manager in the Outer Hebrides, yesterday confirmed that SNH had no outstanding concerns about the development.
He said: "Now that the most sensitive turbines have been removed from the proposal, we're confident the risks to the SPA have been addressed."
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said the charity would also withdraw its objection after the "welcome improvement", but he said he was "disappointed that risks to golden eagles and red-throated divers have not been reduced further".
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