Comhairle nan Eilean Siar yesterday urged Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, to use his visit to Stornoway as an opportunity to approve the proposed Eisgen windfarm development.

Mr Mather visited the Outer Hebrides to discuss economic and community benefit arising from the Scottish Government commissioned study.

Leader of the Comhairle, Angus Campbell, said: "The Scottish Government’s own study found that onshore wind energy offers the best hope for regenerating the economy of the Outer Hebrides.

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"Particularly now, when the islands are facing severe economic challenges, the prospect of a development going ahead in the near future would be a major boost for the people of these Islands."

The Comhairle said it was confident that the Minister will have the economic interests of the islands to the fore in his consideration of the Eisgen project and urged him to listen to the democratically elected representatives of the Island communities.

"This welcome visit by the Minister today provides a perfect opportunity to give some hope to the people of the Islands and announce the go ahead for a positive development which will bring significant employment and community benefit. The Comhairle would urge the Minister to seize the opportunity," Mr Campbell said.

(GK/BMcC)