It was most enlightening to read the comments on the proposed Lewis wind farm from an alliance of environmental agencies (Letters, February 8). It was instructive that none of the signatories had anything to say about the future of the Outer Hebrides, the people, the economic circumstances we face in the islands or the demographic challenges.

Their only point seems to be to prevent development in the islands, to prevent business development, to prevent new skills coming and to prevent communities benefiting from industry. Their approach seems to be the most miserable form of "environmental colonialism" - sitting in the central belt lecturing the natives.

If these organisations believe the environment of the Outer Hebrides is of such quality, why don't they seek to put their money where their mouths are and invest here? Why does the RSPB only have one person employed in Lewis and Harris, but dozens employed in the central belt? At least the RSPB has sent one person here; the others have no presence at all.

That we have a special environment it is due to the efforts of generations of crofters who have toiled on these wind-swept moorlands; it has nothing do with environmental bodies, and for them to now present themselves as the guardians of our environment is offensive.

These same crofters worked under uncaring landlords. It is ironic, in the era of community ownership, that our prospects for development may be stifled more effectively by the RSPB and its ilk than any landlord managed.

Can we be clear that we support the development of renewable energy in the Outer Hebrides and the Lewis Wind Power project, in particular, as it will bring more than 400 jobs. It will put 100mW of power generation into the control of the community and will bring up to £10m of benefit annually. We have recommended almost 50 conditions on any planning permission to ensure any detrimental effects to the environment are mitigated and compensated for.

The economic, social and environmental benefit these investments will deliver is incalculable. It is for these reasons the project has been developed, supported and encouraged by the Stornoway Trust, the trustee for the land on which half the population of the Outer Hebrides resides. The democratically-elected trustees of the know more about the environment of Lewis and the need for work in these islands than the WWF, RSPB, SWT or FoE will ever know.

It is a pity it has taken this issue to raise the development needs of our islands to the national consciousness. Given the challenges we have faced for many years, there has been a failure of national policy by successive governments to deliver solutions.

When Willie Ross set up the Highlands and Islands Development Board in 1966, he said policy should be judged on its impacts in the Outer Hebrides and the western seaboard. Given the on-going and projected population declines and the performance of our economy, it is clear there has been a failure of national policy. If the Scottish Government moves from a "minded to refuse" to a formal rejection of the Lewis Wind Power project, we believe that will be wrong for the Outer Hebrides. Ministers should listen to the members of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and support our decisions. The responsibility should be ours.

It is worth noting the people of the Outer Hebrides have always been told that environmental designations have no cost. If renewable energy does not go ahead, we will know exactly what the cost is in terms of lost jobs, lost opportunity and lost finances.

Councillor Alex MacDonald, convener, and Councillor Angus Campbell, vice-convener, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Isle of Lewis.

memories that never perish are those of simple moments in life, but are never about money, of things bought or sold. Michael Robson writes with elegance of 60 years of love for Lewis and its beauty (Letters, February 7). Never does he mention his joy had anything to do with money. "The moor is not just a place," he writes, "it is the soul of Lewis."

But hold on. This is that age of IT and financial consultants. It is about growing the economy. What has "the soul of Lewis" to do with builders, bankers and businessmen? To produce wealth, we have to pay a price. It costs the earth. Who will pay for it? "The soul of Lewis", of course.

Morag McKinlay, Falkirk.