Wind money pays for pavements for Lochs villages 2/5/12
Three Lochs villages will get new pavements at long last paid for by windfarm money.
Councillor Annie Macdonald has persuaded International Power -
At her urging the energy giant will also fork out for a new safe access at Sgoil nan Loch, an extension to the North Lochs Medical Practice car park as well as safety barriers at a hazardous lochside spot on the Ballallan road.
Director of International Power Michael Baker said the firm would release the money to Western Isles Council to organise the road safety works.
Annie Macdonald said the money would provide vital safety enhancements which have been a huge aspiration for years.
She said the money was an “extra bonus” on top of the community payments from the £230 million giant Beinn Mhor Power wind farm.
It is “specifcally for these safety improvements and the payments will be given to the Comhairle which will ensure local labour is used in the works.”
Beinn Mhor Power which has gained planning permission to erect 39 huge turbines on the private Eishken estate in South Lochs is now owned by International Power.
Eishken owner Nick Oppenheim sold Beinn Mhor Power to the London-
Construction of the £230 million giant wind farm starts next year. Muchof the construction supplies and turbine swill be shipped in by sea to a temporary mooring.
The 140 megawatt scheme is the first major wind farm in the islands to get planning
permission and its critical mass boosts the chances of securing a sub-