January 18, 2007
U.K.

Wind farm approved after inquiry

A £40m wind farm at Toddleburn in the Borders has been given planning consent following a public inquiry.

Scottish Borders Council rejected the plans near Lauder in 2005, but the 36MW development has now been granted.

Scottish and Southern Energy bought the project from I & H Brown in May 2006 – the same time as the public inquiry into the scheme concluded.

Work will start on the 12-turbine project later this year. It is expected to be operational by 2009.

The decision has been welcomed by SSE chief executive Ian Marchant.

‘Minimal disturbance’

“I am pleased that the Toddleburn wind farm has received consent,” he said.

“We will work to ensure that the construction work at Toddleburn is carried out efficiently and with minimal disturbance to the local community.”

However, he criticised the “very difficult” and “time-consuming” process to get planning consent.

“Reform is essential if Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions are to be fulfilled,” he said.