How to Object
How to Object to MachairWind to the Scottish Government Marine Directorate
At the end of June 2026, Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate published Section 36 (a mandatory consent required for an offshore wind farm) and Marine License applications to the Scottish Ministers to construct and operate the MachairWind Offshore Wind Farm – Reference: MD-00012385/ MD-00012386
The public consultation period is open until 15th August 2026.
We are currently reviewing thousands of pages of information contained in SPR's MachairWind application. As soon as this has been completed, we will provide summary information on material considerations which the decision maker must assess, and which you may find helpful in formulating your response.
You can either respond now regarding the MachairWind proposal, or alternatively, wait until we publish the summary information and guidance on how best to position your objection. We will update this page as soon as this is available.
If you need further information, please e-mail info@hebrideanhorizon.co.uk
The MachairWind application documents and impact assessment reports can be accessed via the following link: MachairWind project (Scotwind W1) | marine.gov.scot
You can email your comments, either now, or once we have provided further guidance on how to object, to: MD.MarineRenewables@gov.scot
MachairWind Petition
In addition to objecting, please sign and share our petition, and register on the form below so we can notify you as soon as our objection guidance is published.
Write to Your Community Council
Islanders can also voice their concerns by writing to their local community council.These community councils are statutory consultees on the MachairWind development and will represent the views of the local community.
Write to Your MP
Anyone can also write to Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll & Bute at jenni.minto.msp@parliament.scot and Brendan O'Hara, the Scottish National Party (SNP) MP for the Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber constituency at brendan.ohara.mp@parliament.uk
Further Info
Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 supports renewable energy development, but only where it does not cause unacceptable impacts on nationally important landscapes or heritage. The seascape in this area has high to very high landscape sensitivity.
Despite nearly two years of interaction with the developer ScottishPower Renewables, Iona Community Council has had to research and provide its own Brief to obtain a clear picture of MachairWind’s scale, impacts, costs and benefits. Thanks to Iona Community Council and others joining their working group, the Inner Hebridean Islands that will be impacted by MachairWind have the facts about this massive development, and they are frightening. Please read the Iona Community Council Brief to access the facts and impacts of MachairWind that were not part of SPR's presentation to the "host communities"
Anyone can make an objection.
Every objection counts, and you can object to any aspect of the proposal.