Hebridean Windfarm Plans

Research by MORI Scotland shows virtually all (99%) residents on Lewis and North Harris are aware of the proposals to build windfarms on the islands. People who think they will be able to see both the pylons and turbines of their local windfarm are the most opposed to the principle of their construction — three quarters (75%) of people in this group oppose the windfarms (and 19% supports). Half (48%) of those who don't think they will be able to see evidence of the windfarm are in favour, and a third (32%) opposed.

4 March 2005

A narrow majority of residents feel the windfarm developments would have a negative impact on their local area (53%), and one in five (21%) think they would be broadly beneficial. It is in contrast to the views of people surveyed living close to existing windfarms [see note], which indicated that most felt their local windfarm had no impact (73%), and more felt it had been positive (20%) than negative (seven per cent).

Topline Results

Results are based on a survey of 802 Lewis and North Harris residents
Interviews were conducted by telephone by MORI Telephone Surveys (MTS) in Edinburgh
Fieldwork conducted between 2-15 February 2005
Data are weighted by age, gender, working status and area using 2001 census data
An asterix (*) indicates a percentage of less that 0.5% but greater than zero. Where percentages do not add up to 100, this may be due to computer rounding, multiple responses, or the exclusion of don't know categories.
All figures are percentages based on the total sample (802) unless otherwise stated

Q1 From what you have heard, would you be able to see either the wind turbines at the windfarm, or the pylons carrying the electric cables, from your home?

	%
The Wind Turbines	38
The Pylons (carrying the electricity)	32
Neither	49

Q2 Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the amount of information you have received about the windfarm proposals from the developers?

	%
Satisfied	40
Dissatisfied	46

Q3 Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the amount of information you have received about the windfarm proposals from your local Council?

	%
Satisfied	37
Dissatisfied	53

Q4 To what extent do you support or oppose the general principle of building windfarms on Lewis and Harris at all?

	%
Strongly support	20	Support 36%
Tend to support	17	Support 36%
Neither support nor oppose	12
Tend to oppose	12	Oppose 47%
Strongly oppose	35	Oppose 47%

Q5 And more specifically, to what extent do you support or oppose the proposals to build the windfarm which is closest to your home?

	%
Strongly support	18	Support 29%
Tend to support	12	Support 29%
Neither support nor oppose	12
Tend to oppose	12	Oppose 55%
Strongly oppose	42	Oppose 55%

Q6 Why do you say you are opposed to the proposals?

	(all opposed to proposal closest to their home)
	%
Spoil the view/scenery	55
Wind turbines planned would be too big	19
Effect on tourism/attitudes of visitors	19
Damage to birds/wildlife	17
Too many wind turbines are planned	16
No long term benefit to island/community	12
Damage to plans and wetlands	10
Noise of turbines	8
Don't agree with windfarms generally	6
Too close/near to home	4
Disturbance during construction	4
It wouldn't be viable economically for the island	4

Q7 Why do you say you support the proposals?

	(all who support proposal closest to their home)
	%
Construction will bring jobs to the area	45
Clean way to generate electricity/generally support wind energy	42
Maintenance will bring jobs	25
Local economy will benefit from income from selling electricity	14
Will help raise the profile of the area	4
It will create jobs (unspecified)	4
Will stop the young people leaving the islands	3
It will benefit the islands/Community	3
It is the best place to do it because it is so windy here	3
Local economy will benefit from more visitors	3
It's the way forward/Progress	3
Cheaper energy	3
Will help fight global warming/Green issues	3
There doesn't seem to be any disadvantaged	3

Q8 From what you know or have heard, do each of the following generally support or oppose the windfarm developments?

	Supports	Opposes	Don't know
	%	%	%
Your local Councillor	29	14	57
The local Council as a whole	59	8	33
Most people living on Lewis and Harris	10	67	23

Q9 Which of the following have you done in relation to the proposed windfarm developments?

	%
Discussed it with other people you know	84
Received information through your door	76
Attended a public meeting	27
Contacted your local council/councillor	17
Contacted your Member of the Scottish Parliament	13
None of these	5

Q10 And just to summarise, what effect, if any, would you say the presence of the windfarm would have on your local area? Would you say it will have…

	%
A completely positive effect	4	Positive effect 21%
A generally positive effect	17	Positive effect 21%
Neither positive nor negative effect	19
A generally negative effect	28	Negative effect 53%
A completely negative effect	26	Negative effect 53%

Q11 Windfarm companies pay rent to those that own the land on which they operate. If the land came under community ownership, and, therefore, rent went to the community, to what extent would you support or oppose the general principle of building windfarms on Lewis and Harris?

	%
Strongly support	22	Support 39%
Tend to support	17	Support 39%
Neither support nor oppose	11
Tend to oppose	11	Oppose 44%
Strongly oppose	33	Oppose 44%

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