Callanish Stones ruling risks community development 6/3/13
Small community development schemes near the Callanish Stones on Lewis risk being
effectively banned after the Scottish Government refused to let a crofter erect a
couple of small scale wind turbines four miles away.
The planning threat was reported by Hebrides News a year ago and now a “test case”
appears to set a precedent.
Despite the wholehearted support of the Comhairle, former fisherman Norman Macdonald’s
bid to build two wind generators on his holding on Great Bernera was rejected “in
the national interest” because they could spoil the look of the 5,000-year-old monoliths.
Western Isles Council is worried the ruling would prevent any desperately needed
development or small turbine within line of sight of the standing stones.
The council is rushing forward an urgent report on the potential impact of the precedent
for debated later this month.
A proposed community land buyout in may be hampered from generating vital development
income from turbines in Callanish.
Residents may also be blocked from installing household wind machines.
Councillor Angus Morrison fear the ruling risks any development “within 5 km being
shot down.”
He added: “There are concerns for future development in the area. Anything within
line of sight of the Callanish Stones could be called in (by the Scottish Government).”
Mr Morrison believes planners should be “supportive of such local schemes” rather
than placing obstacles in their way.
Backed by Historic Scotland, the Scottish Government threw out Norman Macdonald’s
bid to build two wind generators because they would affect the westerly scenic view
from Callanish.
However, in the opposite direction, six huge commercial turbines - much taller than
the rejected Bernera machines - prominently pierce through the skyline yet raised
no concerns from Historic Scotland.
The Callanish Stones which date from about 2600 BC attracts an estimated 70,000 visitors
annually and are the top tourist attraction for the Western Isles. Nationally they
are equal in importance to Stonehenge, say planners.
Norman Macdonald says only the tip of the blades of his own generators would be seen
with their towers hidden by the small island of Kearstay, across Loch Roag.
He accuses the authorities of double standards and feels they are exploiting the
underdog as, unlike large wind farm developers, he has no funding to pursue a legal
appeal.
The planning application was called in by the Scottish Government “in light of the
national interest this proposal raises” because the monoliths are a Scheduled Ancient
Monument.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Wind turbine development proposals are determined
on their individual merits, having regard to planning policies and other material
considerations.
“The consistent concern in considering proposals with potential to affect the Callanish
site has been the impact on the setting of the standing stones.
“It is for Historic Scotland to decide whether an objection is merited in any specific
case.
“Scottish Ministers have no powers to review their development decisions. That is
a matter for the courts.”
The government has now refused the planning application, maintaining the turbines
would spoil the prehistoric landscape.
Its planning reporter, Donald Harris, stated in his findings: “This is not the only
possible site for wind turbines, whereas the Callanish Standing Stones are immovable.
“The setting of such a supremely important national monument merits the most careful
treatment.”
He said the wide view from the Callanish Stones to the west and south “is so important
in complementing the monument, with its wild and unspoilt landscape of sea loch,
moorland, rocky hills and distant mountains. The proposal would seriously compromise
the quality of this landscape setting.”
A spokeswoman for Historic Scotland said: “Historic Scotland did not object to the
Pentland Road wind farm when we were consulted by Western Isles Council in September
2002.
“On the basis of the information supplied, we did not consider that the wind farm
would have a significantly adverse impact on the setting of the Callanish Standing
Stones.
”We have been consulted on a number of wind energy developments to the west of Stornoway
and having studied the planning applications including photomontages, have not objected
to any of these on the grounds of impacts on the Standing Stones due to the substantial
distances involved.
“In addition the views from Callanish in this direction are already affected by modern
development.
“The proposed turbines at Kirkibost, on the other hand, would have been much closer
to Callanish and their visual impact more pronounced. The differing nature of the
setting of the Callanish Standing Stones in terms of the views outwards was a factor
emphasised by the Reporter in the recommendation to Ministers.”