Members of the public have been given more time to comment on plans for the onshore transmission works associated with the proposed Spiorad na Mara offshore wind farm.

Developers have agreed to a request from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to extend the determination period for the planning application, allowing additional time for consultees and residents to examine the proposals.

The deadline for submitting comments has now been extended until Wednesday, 12 August.

Spiorad na Mara is a proposed offshore wind farm planned for waters approximately five to 13 kilometres off the west coast of Lewis. The current planning application relates to the project's onshore transmission infrastructure.

Martin Whyte, Project Director for Spiorad na Mara, said: "We are committed to working constructively with local communities, stakeholders and decision makers throughout the planning process.
"We have agreed to this extension to help ensure that all parties have sufficient time to review our application and provide informed feedback."

The planning application and supporting documents are available to view on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar planning portal and on the Spiorad na Mara project website.

Printed copies of the full planning application, including drawings and visualisations, will continue to be available for public inspection until 12 August at the Comhairle offices in Stornoway during office hours, as well as at Stornoway Library, Horshader Community Development in North Shawbost and Carloway Community Centre. Opening hours vary between venues.

Copies of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report's Non-Technical Summary are also available to collect from a number of local venues or can be requested directly from the project team.

Spiorad na Mara is expected to have an installed capacity of around 900 megawatts. According to the developers, this would generate enough renewable electricity to meet the equivalent annual needs of approximately 1.2 million Scottish homes while avoiding more than 1.7 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

The project is being developed by Northland Power, which holds a 75.5 per cent stake, in partnership with ESB, which owns the remaining 24.5 per cent.