Wednesday 29/06/05

Nice sunny day today, quite warm as well. Sit outside, on the steps behind the seawall. Updating my diary for August 2004, yep 10 months behind. Surprising what you still remember though. In the evening, news comes through that Western Isles Council have approved a planning application for both windfarms in Lewis. The social and economic benefits were said to outweigh the environmental disadvantages. Unfortunately, I believe that they are looking at the wrong figures. Number of jobs promised: 300 - 500, which is actually closer to 100-200. Number is based on the assumption that the turbines will be constructed at the fabrication yard at Arnish, south of Stornoway. The Council forgets however that such an order is subject to European rules, which requires that this project be put out to tender. Even if Arnish is to do the work, they'll have to adopt 7-day working, and I somehow don't see that happening just yet. But, it is all subject to Scottish Executive approval and possible European Court action on the part of the RSPB, who have vowed to fight this tooth and nail.