Eilean mo Ghaoil Press Release
Bragar machair
Eilean Mo Ghaoil Takes a Stand Against Large-Scale Industrialization Threatening the Isle of Lewis.
We are a collective of passionate Isle of Lewis residents, Gaels, business owners, crofters, parents, and water users, and have launched a campaign to inform and mobilise the community in response to the looming threat of large-scale industrialization throughout our beloved island. Our primary concern is the proliferation of multinational companies erecting giant wind farms, particularly a "very inshore" wind farm with turbines measuring 380+m just 5km from the shore, proposed for the West Side of the Isle of Lewis.
The rugged and pristine landscapes and seascapes of the Isle of Lewis have long been cherished by its residents and visitors alike. However, with the recent influx of multinational companies seeking to establish wind farms in the area, the island’s unique natural beauty is under siege. Northland Power, the multi-national power company at the helm of this development have now submitted their scoping report to Marine Scotland which details the detrimental impact that the wind farm and its necessary onshore infrastructure will have on the environment, marine mammals and seabirds, local culture, and the overall quality of life for the island’s inhabitants. In addition, the report states that the effects on tourism/ recreational activity include,
"potential permanent displacement due to the physical presence of Project infrastructure or change in marine conditions (e.g. wave patterns, water quality etc.)".
Our campaign aims to raise awareness about the potential consequences of large-scale industrialization on the Isle of Lewis. Through community outreach, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, the group seeks to inform residents and decision-makers alike about the potential risks involved in allowing multinational companies to erect these wind farms without effective community consultation and without adequate consideration of the island’s unique ecosystem and the well-being of its people.
Eilean Mo Ghaoil invites the community to join their cause, uniting to protect the Isle of Lewis from overdevelopment and the erosion of its distinctive character. The group firmly believes that responsible, community led sustainable development can coexist with the preservation of the island’s natural beauty and traditional way of life.
Eilean Mo Ghaoil was set up to inform the public in an easily accessible way through a leaflet drop of all the proposed developments. A letter of concern which can be sent to the relevant authorities is included to ensure the voices of the people of the Isle of Lewis are heard and that their concerns are addressed. This leaflet is in the process of being delivered to every household on the Isle of Lewis. You can find a PDF version to download on our homepage.
For more information about Eilean Mo Ghaoil and our campaign to protect the Isle of Lewis, please visit www.emg-lewis.co.uk.
Durachdan,
Eilean Mo Ghaoil