Take a look at the photograph, this is the island of Faray, one of three beautiful, unspoiled islands that are being purchased by the Orkney Islands Council.
The group of islands, comprising Faray, Holm of Faray and tiny Red Holm, were offered for sale last summer at a guide price of just £200,000, something of a bargain for three small jewels sitting in an azure sea, off the coast of Scotland. Paradise you might say. And going for a song. Surely they would be secured for future generations to cherish...? Orkney Islands Council: "significant development opportunity..." But now, in a shock announcement, the council, which hopes to complete the purchase early next year, says that it plans to industrialise these three unusually beautiful islands by turning them into wind farms. That means filling the pristine, timeless landscape with concrete, steel and oil and jeopardizing the unique wildlife habitat that provides sanctuary for large colonies of birds and animals, including an important breeding colony of grey seals. Faray and Holm of Faray are officially classed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation. But this appears to mean nothing because now, together with their tiny neighbour Red Holm, they will be ruined for all time. The Orkney Islands Council has described the purchase as a “significant development opportunity.” Council leader James Stockan added “We have always said that we were going to be an entrepreneurial council” Astonishingly misguided A representative of the Stewart Endowment Trust, who are selling the islands, said - in an astonishingly misguided statement - “We are delighted that they will be moving into the guardianship of the local authority, where they will remain a precious asset for the whole community for generations to come.” Hmm, not so much a 'precious asset for the community', more like selling off the family silver. This will come to be seen as a scandalous betrayal of the local people. It seems like both the Stewart Endowment Trust and the local council have effectively sanctioned the complete industrialisation of these pristine and unique islands. One can only hope that the Trust will rethink its sale of the islands to the council, now that it is aware of the appalling plans for industrial development.... Shameful Joni Mitchell once famously lamented 'paving paradise to put up a parking lot' - but this is actually worse. This is destroying paradise forever at a time in our history when we should know so much better - and doing so in the worst possible way - by selling out to an industry that notoriously makes its money out of wrecking places like this. How has this been allowed to happen?
1 Comment
Elspeth Macpherson
30/11/2018 10:16:34 pm
There can be such a thing as too much wind. It is one thing having windmills on the mainland, but erecting them on a small uninhabited island may prove too expensive and dangerous. Nature may fight back - if a few workers get blown into the sea, they might be forced to withdraw.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
If you appreciate what I write about, please consider showing your support by buying me a virtual coffee!
Click the button below! Thanks :) Archives
July 2023
|