We would like to draw to the attention of your readers the proposals to build a windfarm just behind the Devil’s Beeftub. The proposed site falls within the Borders Council area and will impact on all of us who live in this region.
As a group we feel that this is an inappropriate place to site a wind farm, given that the hills around the Beeftub, Hartfell, and the Tweed’s Rise are designated as a regional scenic area.
Visitors come to this region for its outstanding scenery, its superb views and its un-industrialised nature. A windfarm on the proposed site would change all that – with 36 turbines 400 feet high.
Recent surveys show that 25 per cent of tourists are unlikely to re-visit an area dominated by turbines – so this windfarm will have a serious effect on local tourism (especially walkers and ramblers) and our local economy.
The new Annandale Way is due to open in 15 months – if the windfarm gets the go ahead then the start of the walk will be directly under one of these turbines!
Not only is the area one of great beauty it is also one of great history – the huge steep-sided valley, 500ft deep, was once used by Reivers to hold cattle driven across the border. The barren hills forming the hollow was described by Walter Scott as looking “as if they were laying their heads together to shut out the daylight from the dark hollow space between them”.
Surely Scott would turn in his grave if he thought such a majestic sight were to be spoiled by turbines?
We will be holding a public meeting in Moffat Town Hall on Tuesday, May 6 at 7pm to discuss the implications for Moffat and the surrounding areas and would invite your readers to come and hear more about the proposals and what we can do to stop them.
Lydia Burnett
Save our Scenery Campaign
Moffat
2 May 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/05/02/windfarm-fears/