The natural beauty, rural tranquillity and island sustainability of Eday is being put at risk by a proposal to develop five massive wind turbines on the South side of the island. The proposed site is in close proximity to 31 permanent residences and would restrict access to a scenic walk along the coast of the island.

Each of the five wind turbines would be up to 180m in height (to blade tip), dominating the southern skyline of Eday hitherto framed by the shoreline and a slight elevation to some 101m. For comparison, the existing community wind turbine on Eday is nestled in the hillside and stands only 67m in height. Eday is only 10 square miles—almost 40% of all residences are in the area of the proposed turbines. In contrast, Sanday is 19.50 square miles, the wind turbines are 100m in height and there are no residences in the area of the turbines.

As VisitScotland describes, "Eday is rich in archaeology and wildlife, and the island is one of Orkney's real undiscovered gems". That said, Eday has for many years already played its part in the transition to net zero, with the community-developed wind turbine. Playing host to the shoreside elements of the EMEC Falls of Warness tidal power test site.

The preservation of Eday requires that the impact of the wind turbines be fully assessed, including open and transparent consultation with the community. The developers plan to submit a planning application in December 2022, The community was only given the opportunity to first engage with the developer in Aug of the same year. This does not allow sufficient time for such a review.

This petition calls for the development to be stopped on the following basis:

1. Health and wellbeing of Eday residents — the planned sites for the industrial styled turbines are within less than 0.9 miles (1.5 km) of thirty one permanent residences. This is significantly closer than recommended for wind turbines that are 180 m in height (Gillespies LLP, 2014). Noise, flickering and the visual intrusion present a real risk to the quality of life, health and wellbeing for these residences. The development would also restrict access to coastal walking routes, preventing residents and tourists from enjoying the scenery on Eday.
2. Birds and Wildlife — Eday is home to a wealth of birds and wildlife that will be impacted by the wind turbines. Current assessments have not been sufficiently detailed to ensure that the wind turbines are not harmful to the natural environment on Eday. While the developer has done a survey on the above, the community has not been given enough time to organise an independent, neutral study of the same.
3. Tourism and recreation — Visitors to Eday always highlight the beauty and tranquility of the island. The proposed development falls in close proximity to several B&Bs on the island and would dominate the skyline for visitors arriving on the island.If indeed they continue to visit at all.The blossoming tourist industry of Eday will be hurt by the development with a loss of income and development potential. OIC, HIE, SG and others recognise the critical value of tourism and economic diversification to our traditionally agricultural and remote island communities.  
4. Infrastructure — Expensive remodelling of existing infrastructure requirements, to transport and install the wind turbines, will leave the island with a costly white elephant that serves neither the interests, needs nor desires of the broader community. The actual process of transporting and installing the wind turbines will result in disruptions to daily life on Eday for a prolonged period of time 
5. Archaeology — A number of neolithic and other historical sites have been identified on Eday, contributing to the tremendous historical wealth of Orkney.The risk of a industrial scale development on known and yet-to-be-discovered sites devaluing these historical assets and resources should be fully and comprehensively considered.

While monetary incentives have been offered in return for the development, they are vague and there is no clear proposal as to how this would benefit the entire community. The divisive nature of an industrial development such as this, in a small community, pits neighbour against neighbour. Furthermore, many of the so-called “community benefits” promoted by the developer are already available / in development, with funding available from a multitude of local and national sources.

The timeline does not allow for honest and open dialogue with the community, which cannot be rushed. The proposals have already caused extensive harm within a small island community, and as such disregard the aims, objectives and spirit of the National Islands Plan. Especially around community co-design and islands having self-determination in respect to their future.