LOCAL NEWS JULY 18 2023

New Skye wind farm website launched as businesswoman warns of impacts

A Skye businesswoman is urging all community councils across the island and on Raasay to consider and be aware of the the impact of wind farms which are proposed for the area.

Faye MacLeod, who lives on Skye and runs the accountancy firm Campbell Stewart MacLennan and Co, has written to all the community councils across the area to express her extreme concerns for what she argues would be the consequences for residents, businesses, and the island in general from the cumulative effect of the proposed wind farm developments on Skye.

On Monday Ms MacLeod contacted Radio Skye about the launch of a new website focussing on the developments – skyewind.co.uk has been created using publicly available information.

The website contains news concerning the plans for new or upgraded wind farms on Skye, local opinions on the matter, as well as examples of the economic impact that community-owned developments have had in the Western Isles

At present plans for nine different developments from Breakish in the south east to Waternish in the north west of the island been submitted to the Highland Council which are either at planning or scooping stage.

  Plans underway to transform Tigh na Sgire into Portree hub     

The Highland Council offices in Portree could be transformed into a central hub for local and national agencies through a new project.

Through the Portree demonstrator project, options are being explored to house the Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Skills Development Scotland, Nature Scot, and potentially other local organisations in the same building to provide a one-stop shop for service users.

Skye and Raasay Councillors discussed the plans with the Scottish Goverment Minister for Local Government Empowerment, Joe Fitzpatrick, during the minister visit to Skye on Monday.

Remedial works are set to take place in 2024, the first phase of project is being funded by the Scottish Goverment – £800,000, and Highland Council, and HIE – £100,000.

The works will be undertaken pending further site investigation, design development and statutory consents being applied for and approved.

Commenting to Radio Skye, Skye and Raasay Councillor John Finlayson said that a building condition survey has taken place and is under review to ensure capital allocation presents value for money within the budget currently committed.

Fellow local member Councillor Calum Munro, meanwhile. told Radio Skye, he hoped it would be a significant development in revitalising Tigh na Sgìre and maintaining a public sector presence in the centre of Portree.

Beaches cleans to form fifty years of Skye litter study 

A research group from Loughborough University will be taking part in a series of beach cleans on Skye across July and August as part of project looking at 50 years of litter across the island

The group are teaming up with Skye Beach Cleans and will visit eight beaches starting with Elgol on 23rd July and finishing at Knock Bay on 3rd August.

SLCVO to host volunteering event

A host of community groups and organisation are set to take part in an event in Portree next week to highlight volunteering opportunities within the area

The Skye and Lochalsh Council of Volunteer Organisations are hosting the event which Radio Skye will be involved in at the community centre in the Skye capital between 1 and 3 on Tuesday 25th July.

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