Taller turbines planned for site

Advances in technology has led to the revised application

Developers behind a controversial wind farm on the Western Isles have proposed erecting fewer but taller turbines than previously planned.

Crionaig Power and landowner Nick Oppenheim's firm Beinn Mhor Power propose building 39 turbines, each 143.5m tall.

The site on Eishken Estate on Lewis was earmarked for 53 towers measuring 125m.

Original plans for 133 turbines were revised following concerns from RSPB Scotland about its effect on birds.

Land conservation charity the John Muir Trust also objected to the wind farm, arguing that it would damage the landscape.

More efficient

A public local inquiry was held in Stornoway on the 53-turbine plan last May.

The inquiry reporter's findings and recommendations were sent to Scottish ministers and remain under consideration.

Beinn Mhor Power have now asked the government to look at their revised proposals.

The company said advances in technology allowed for fewer, more efficient, turbines to be erected.

A planning application for the project was first lodged in December 2004.

Last June, Mr Oppenheim's separate plan for a 13-turbine wind farm on his Lewis estate was not called in by the Scottish Government.

Western Isles council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, which approved the proposal, was told that there would be no objections to it from ministers.

The scheme had been scaled down from the original application for 16 turbines.