Three Eishken estate community benefit deals made legal 24/7/08
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar today signed a community benefit deal agreement with Beinn Mohr Power over a proposed 13 turbine windfarm at Eishken on Lewis.
The privately established Muaitheabhal Community Windfarm Trust - set up by windfarm owner Nick Oppenheim - signed a second agreement over community payments and transfer of 30% of their income to the Western Isles Development Trust.
In addition, a third legal deal to transfer community cash to the council-led Western Isles Development Trust was also sealed.
The Comhairle approved the 39 MW Feiriosbhal wind farm in February of this year but the issue of the consent was dependent upon a Section 75 (community benefit) agreement being reached between the Comhairle and Beinn Mohr Power.
The council had to notify the Scottish Government over the planning issue but it told the council that it would not intervene in any way. The Scottish Government advised the local authority it was authorised to deal with the application in any way it saw fit.
