Fresh call for wind farms inquiry

Major wind farm developments are planned for the islands

An MP has repeated his call for a public inquiry into proposed wind farms in the Western Isles.

Islands SNP MP Angus MacNeil said residents are concerned about the size of the developments.

He said a six-week public inquiry was held into a 27 turbine farm planned for a site in Whinash, Cumbria.

Mr MacNeil has written to Scottish Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm renewing his previous call for such action a year ago.

He said: "It would be unacceptable not to have a public inquiry for developments any bigger than Whinash and particularly a development that is 10 times bigger than Whinash."

Scaled back

Last month, the company behind plans for a wind farm in Lewis said it will further reduce its size following concerns over the threat to birds.

Lewis Wind Power is revising its proposals for 209 turbines. The scheme has already been scaled back from 234.

Development director John Price said the plans were now for about 190 turbines although they would still be 400ft high.

He said this would help reduce the impact on bird life.

Meanwhile, Beinn Mhor Power has submitted a revised plan for 53 three-megawatt turbines instead of the original 130 approved by Western Isles Council in June last year.