Wild Land News no 55, Spring 2002

Uproar Over Lingerbay Upset Article

Environmental groups were furious over a terrible gaffe by the Scottish Executive. It seems that the letter, signed by Sam Galbraith, refusing Lafarge Redland permission for the Lingerbay Superquarry failed to give 'sufficient and adequate' reasons for the decision. New legal advice suggested that the wording of the letter from the Executive could not justify Sam Galbraith's decision. He overturned the advice of Reporter Gillian Pain, who recommended that on balance the project should go ahead.

The Scottish Executive, as a result, have withdrawn from defending the appeal in the Court of Session by Lafarge Redland against the decision. This withdrawal will also mean in all probability that the taxpayer will have to meet Lafarge's legal costs. Islanders in Harris were left in limbo again as this may mean more delay and confusion.

The superquarry does not automatically now go ahead, but it means that Ministers will have to listen to fresh evidence from any of the parties to the public inquiry.

The Wild Land Group echoed the voices of other environmentalists in being exasperated and annoyed. SWLG Co-ordinator Alistair Cant states that: "We thought this was an elaborate April Fool but it was 13 days too early for that. The thought of this project going ahead due to bureaucratic incompetence is appalling"

The officials who framed this decision letter for Sam Galbraith should be brought to task, and every effort made by the Scottish Executive to re-confirm the original decision of Sam Galbraith.

Alistair Cant