A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) has been submitted to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar outlining plans for a temporary workforce accommodation village in Stornoway.

The village is required for the construction of SSEN Transmission’s proposed Lewis Hub project and will house workers involved in its delivery, should planning permission be granted.

The PAN, submitted by principal contractor Balfour Beatty, outlines the proposed general development area for the village off Willowglen Road. The development is on land leased by Lewis Wind Power (LWP), developers of Stornoway Wind Farm. The LWP will develop its own separate accommodation plans on adjoining land, with Balfour Beatty collaborating to coordinate infrastructure like new utility connections.

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The Lewis Hub, which received its planning application in March, comprises a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter Station and an Alternating Current (AC) substation at Arnish Moor. SSEN Transmission’s Project Director for the Lewis Hub, Callum Wardrop, said the proposed temporary workers’ village will help the contractor meet its accommodation needs while minimising the impact on local housing supply and hotel spaces that are "vital to the local tourism sector".

Local residents and stakeholders are being invited to provide feedback on the proposals at public consultation events. Teams from Balfour Beatty and SSEN Transmission will be available to discuss the plans at the Caladh Inn, Stornoway, from 3pm to 7pm on both Wednesday, 17 September 2025 and Wednesday, 29 October 2025.

The PAN submission comes in advance of the full planning application for the village, which is expected in the coming months and will follow a further round of public consultation.