Comhairle nan Eilean Siar [Western Isles Council] has seen the light and scrapped the community skips.
Dotted all over the islands, the green skips are available for people
to dump their waste into; whether it be defunct household appliances,
metal, wood - it was always there. The scrapping of this service will
backfire spectacularly, because the uplift from people’s homes costs
£20 for up to 5 items. Knowing the economic hardship, suffered by many
islanders, we can duly expect an increase in fly-tipping.
The excuse, for excuse it is, is that the skips are a hazard for
children who may be injured when they play in the skips. That is
something I find less than likely; the aperture for putting stuff into
the skips stands 4 feet off the ground. The reason that refuse workers
may get injured through handling the contents of the skips can only be
met with scorn.
Friday 31 August 2012
Tuesday 21 August 2012
Interconnector
My attention has been drawn, courtesy commenter Lady Gargar, to a stakeholder consultation
(PDF) by SSE on the proposed high-voltage direct current connector
between Stornoway and Beauly, for the benefit of renewable energy
schemes in the Outer Hebrides. Reliable sources have indicated that
construction of the sub-station at Gravir could commence in September,
for the cable to become operational from an extended Arnish sub-station
to Beauly by 2015.
The documentation, dated June 2012, refers to the schemes in the Western Isles. SSE did announce on 8 August 2012 that the scheme in Pairc will not now go ahead. I am wondering if this invalidates their stakeholder consultation; however, I doubt whether that will thwart the plans for the cable.
The documentation, dated June 2012, refers to the schemes in the Western Isles. SSE did announce on 8 August 2012 that the scheme in Pairc will not now go ahead. I am wondering if this invalidates their stakeholder consultation; however, I doubt whether that will thwart the plans for the cable.
Wednesday 8 August 2012
SSE withdraws from Pairc windfarm
SSE have today announced
that they are withdrawing from the proposed 26-turbine 94 MW windfarm
at Pairc (South Lochs) in the Isle of Lewis for environmental reasons.
This is major news, for several reasons.
It is good to hear that a major player in the renewable energy market, SSE, now recognises that environmental constraints are a good reasons for not siting a windfarm in sensitive areas. Colonies of golden eagles and other raptors were at increased risk of colliding with the turbine blades. It is to be hoped that this approach will be applied to other windfarm schemes across the Scottish Highlands.
Bearing this in mind, the question could be asked whether the Muaitheabhal and Pentland Road windfarms, which have been approved, should not now be reconsidered on their environmental (de)merits. Construction of both schemes is due to begin within the next 12 months.
The implications on a local level are equally major. The Pairc windfarm was one of the schemes that would contribute towards the renewable energy output to be generated in the island, to justify the construction of the interconnector (sub sea cable) to the Scottish mainland. At present, only the Muaitheabhal windfarm in Eishken and the Pentland Road scheme appear to be contributing - and I am not certain that the threshold is now going to be met.
The potential construction of a windfarm on the Pairc Estate has been one of the stumbling blocks for progressing the community buy-out in South Lochs. Had SSE proceeded with the windfarm, this would have caused the value of the land to skyrocket out of the reach of the Pairc Trust, who have striven for nearly a decade to take the estate into community ownership. This being no longer the case, the likelihood of a successful buy-out appears to have taken a substantial boost.
It is good to hear that a major player in the renewable energy market, SSE, now recognises that environmental constraints are a good reasons for not siting a windfarm in sensitive areas. Colonies of golden eagles and other raptors were at increased risk of colliding with the turbine blades. It is to be hoped that this approach will be applied to other windfarm schemes across the Scottish Highlands.
Bearing this in mind, the question could be asked whether the Muaitheabhal and Pentland Road windfarms, which have been approved, should not now be reconsidered on their environmental (de)merits. Construction of both schemes is due to begin within the next 12 months.
The implications on a local level are equally major. The Pairc windfarm was one of the schemes that would contribute towards the renewable energy output to be generated in the island, to justify the construction of the interconnector (sub sea cable) to the Scottish mainland. At present, only the Muaitheabhal windfarm in Eishken and the Pentland Road scheme appear to be contributing - and I am not certain that the threshold is now going to be met.
The potential construction of a windfarm on the Pairc Estate has been one of the stumbling blocks for progressing the community buy-out in South Lochs. Had SSE proceeded with the windfarm, this would have caused the value of the land to skyrocket out of the reach of the Pairc Trust, who have striven for nearly a decade to take the estate into community ownership. This being no longer the case, the likelihood of a successful buy-out appears to have taken a substantial boost.
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