LOCAL NEWS AUGUST 24 2023

Muirhall responds to Glen Ullinish 2 community benefit concerns

The last of four public events will be held in Dunvegan about the Glen Ullinish 2 wind farm proposed for Skye.

If approved by Scottish ministers, the wind farm would comprise 47 wind turbines with maximum tip heights of 200 and replace the existing Glen Ullinish Wind Farm.

Lesley McNeil is the head of external and corporate affairs for Muirhall Energy.

Speaking to Radio Skye, she said that the financial benefits to the community were greater than the industry standard recommended.

Ms MacNeil said that Muirhall would offer an investment package of £7,000 per megawatt of maximum usable capacity as opposed to the Scottish Government’s guidance of £5,000 per installed MW per annum

However, several bodies across the island, including the Portree and Braes Community Trust are calling for a public inquiry to be held to assess the cumulative impact of all the wind farm developments proposed for Skye.

The Trust has asked that the inquiry consider community benefit from wind farms be delivered in the form of five per cent of turnover and accessible to the whole of Skye and Raasay.

The final of four public drop-ins is taking place at Dunvegan Village Hall from 11am to 3pm today (Thursday 24th August).

Housing minister pledges to tackle rural and island issues

The Scottish Housing Minister has said the government is committment to deliver at least 11,000 new affordable homes in rural and island areas by 2023.

Speaking during a visit to Auchtercairn development in Gairloch, Wester Ross, housing minister Paul MacLennan said that good
quality housing was essential to attract and retain people in remote, rural and island communities.

He said that the Scottish Government has committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 – with at least 10 per cent in remote, rural and island areas.

During his visit, Mr MacLennan also announced that up to £960,000 provided through a join fund would help deliver affordable home and facilities in remote and rural areas.

Mr MacLennan said the Goverment would be providing support totalling £30 million over this parliament through its Rural and Island Housing Fund.

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnstone, however, has raised questions about the Scottish Government’s rural housing fund, which he argues should be urgently re-evaluated.

According to Parliamentary Question S6W-14348, just 32 affordable homes were built in 2022-23.

Commenting on how housing issues are being acutely felt across the Highlands and Islands, Mr Halcro Johnstone said: “A thriving rural economy relies on young people to be able to live and work locally, and their active participation in community life is vital.

“However, this current housing crisis is depriving our rural areas of this important demographic”.

A remote, rural and islands housing action plan is also set to be published in this autumn.

Sixty vehicles stopped during NC500 safety patrols

Sixty vehicles were stopped on the NC500 during recent safety patrols carried out by the Highlands and Island Road Policing Officers.

The patrols which were carried out as part of Operation CEDAR – (Challenge, Educate, Detect and Reduce) took place on the 19th and 20th August.

During these patrols, 60 vehicles were stopped by officers, which included 12 drivers being reported for speeding, driving licence, insurance and document offences. Several drivers were also given safety advice.

Road Policing Constable Rhuaraidh Mackay said, “These proactive patrols emphasise our commitment to improving road safety across the Highlands and Islands area.

He added: “All of the offences detected during these patrols contribute to collisions where people are injured, and we encourage people to use the road responsibly.”

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