Argyll and Bute Council’s planning committee has been recommended to give approval for SSE Renewables’ meteorological mast on Orsay Island at the next meeting to be held in August. However, Islay Community Council strongly opposes this decision because of the visual impact of the mast, the Scottish Express reports.
The 200-foot high met mast will ruin the view of the Rhinns of Islay Lighthouse, which is 50 feet smaller than the mast, Islay Community Council said. The lighthouse, designed by Scottish engineer Robert Stevenson and built in 1825, is an attractive building for the tourists and 3,000 residents of the Islay.
Still, the Argyll Council is aware of this fact, which it explained in its planning report and added that the met mast is “in the national interest” as the Scottish Government’s green agenda is of greater importance.
SSE Renewables plans to install this met mast to assess wind conditions for a potential offshore wind farm. The company said that it would not have a huge impact on the landscape and that it would be installed there for only six years.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND Staff, June 27, 2013; Image: Thomas Keetley