The people of North Uist are set to lose the opportunity to invest millions of pounds which would have been generated locally if their island had won the right to build a community wind farm, according to parliamentary candidate, Alasdair Morrison.
The planned two 900kw turbines at Clachan were blocked by the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) insistence military radars based at the South Uist rocket range and at St Kilda would be affected.
Speaking after a meeting in Claddach Kirkibost, Mr Morrison said: “An increasing number of island communities are already benefitting or in the process of erecting their own wind farms. Sadly, North Uist is not one of these fortunate communities.
“One of the stumbling blocks was an irrational objection from the Ministry of Defence.
“What was required to overcome that objection was for our MP to show leadership, commitment and focus and make a coherent and robust case on behalf of his constituents.
“I listened to speaker after speaker condemn the lack of effort and political application
which now sees North Uist falling behind and not benefitting from the renewables
revolution so oft quoted by the Edinburgh-
“The people of North Uist have already lost money but they now need to regroup and begin the process again. I was able to assure all at the meeting that if I become their Member of Parliament next month North Uist and its people will get the attention and support they rightly deserve.”
He added: “It has been singularly depressing travelling through island communities
this week and hearing people amplify concerns about the state of local economy, failing
ferry services and learning directly the damage being visited on communities and
families because of the absence of anything that could be described as coherent and
grown up political support and representation.”
At the end of the meeting councillor Uisdean Robertson also voiced his dismay about the lack of interest from the Scottish Government and its agencies.
Mr Morrison said: “I know that Mr Robertson and other conscientious people will strive to find a way forward. I sincerely hope that I can join them on the journey and help make a lasting difference to North Uist.”
North Uist “falling behind” in renewables’ revolution
10 April 2015