The first phase of public consultation on Spiorad na Mara – a proposed offshore windfarm, located approximately 5-13km off the west coast of the Isle of Lewis – has recently been completed, during which over 200 feedback submissions were received.
The feedback is currently being reviewed by the project team and will inform the ongoing planning and design of the project. A report will be issued during January which will contain full details on the consultation and a summary of its findings.
The consultation, which ran from 23rd September to 23rd October 2024, consisted of seven in-person events held at different locations around the island, a month-long virtual on-line exhibition and a series of information clinics, with a total of 55 hours of time available for members of local communities to meet and talk with the project team.
A total of 322 people attended the seven in-person exhibitions and 13 came to the information clinics, with 1,265 visiting the on-line consultation room.
The consultation included the latest updates on all aspects of the project – onshore and offshore – including environmental and technical assessments, ground investigations and surveys. Further information is available at:
https://northlandpowerscotwind.co.uk/spiorad-na-mara/public-consultation/
Photomontages were also made available for the duration of the consultation period, showing two indicative turbine array layouts, from nine locations along the west coast of Lewis. During the second phase of public consultation, updated photomontages will be provided, reflecting the latest layout proposals, having considered the feedback received during this consultation. An interactive virtual model was also made available, which allowed members of the local community to pick any location on the island and see a view of what the proposed windfarm could look like.
“Feedback is crucial in shaping our project, as it helps us to take the needs and interests of local communities on board and provides an opportunity to understand and address any questions or concerns,” said Tanya Davies, Project Director.
“We were very pleased with the number of people who participated in this important first phase of public consultation and would like to thank everyone for their valuable input and feedback. Consultation with local communities and stakeholders is at the heart of our project development process – we value every voice in the community.”
During the spring of 2025, a second phase of public consultation is being planned, which will have considered the feedback received during Phase 1, showing what was said and what has been done in response. The focus during this second phase of consultation will be on sharing the latest updates and progress made and seeking feedback on these plans, prior to the submission of a planning application expected during late summer 2025.
Following the successful introduction and take-up of community drop-ins, which make the project more accessible to community members, new dates and venues have just been announced for December. These are as follows:
- Monday, December 16th, Barvas and Brue Community Centre, 4-7pm
- Tuesday, December 17th, Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway, 1-4pm
Appointments can be made by calling Kathleen Milne on 074 42585935. People are also welcome to drop in.
Spiorad na Mara is owned by Northland Power (75.5%) and ESB (24.5%), with Northland leading on the development, construction, and operation.
The project is still in the early stages of development and, subject to all necessary permits and consents being received, Spiorad na Mara could begin construction in 2028 and be operational by 2031.
Further information is available at www.spioradnamara.co.uk.
Contact:
Steve Thomas
Communications Adviser, Northland Power
+44 (0)7359 614023
steve.thomas@northlandpower.com
