Wind farm plans dropped over fear of eagle deaths - 09/08/2012
Plans to build a wind farm on the Isle of Lewis have been abandoned following fears birds of prey could be put in danger.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) had intended to construct 26 turbines on the Pairc Estate, but the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) warned up to 22 golden eagles could be killed by the blades over 25 years.
David Gardner, SSE's director of onshore renewables, said: "We are strongly committed to developing onshore wind farms, but as a responsible developer, we will only do so if the proposals are environmentally sustainable."
Environmental assessments and consultations with stakeholders revealed there could also be potential harm to white-tailed eagles, merlins, the black-throated diver, dunlin and golden plover.
According to the RSPB, golden eagles are most commonly seen in the wild, open moorlands and mountains of Scotland, as their preferred habitat is the remote glens and islands of the country.
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