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Lammermuir Hills wind farm approved at Fallago Rig
Credit: BBC News, www.bbc.co.uk 9 November 2010 ~~
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Energy Minister Jim Mather has approved a wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills despite a lengthy opposition campaign.
A total of 48-turbines can now be built by North British Wind Power at Fallago Rig in the Scottish Borders.
Opponents have claimed it will destroy the last “unspoiled section” of the landscape in the area.
Mr Mather said construction would create hundreds of jobs and would represent a “significant boost” to the local economy.
“Once up and running the wind farm is expected achieve a carbon saving of thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year,” he said.
“The local community are represented through the Tweed Forum, and a Fallago Rig environmental fund has been set up which will provide £240,000 each year of operation for local environmental improvements and sustainable development projects.”
He said he had put in place a series of conditions to protect natural habitats and landscapes.
“It’s encouraging to see constructive dialogue from all parties concerned and I am confident that Fallago Rig will be a centrepiece of Scotland’s renewables legacy,” he said.
“I am delighted the result has seen co-operation with all concerned, and I look forward to seeing it become a reality.”
The development has been the subject of a concerted opposition campaign by the Say No To Fallago group.
It staged a protest march earlier this year which was joined by Prof David Bellamy.
He said at the time that approval for the scheme would be “declaring open war” on Scotland’s countryside.
Public inquiry
BNWP has defended its site selection saying it is on one of the remotest parts of the Borders, on land already “degraded” by a “massive pylon line”.
Chairman Christopher Wilkins said: “We are pleased that after two public inquiries, consent has been granted for our proposed 144MW wind farm at Fallago Rig in the Scottish Borders.
“We recently announced an agreement under which members of the EDF Group, one of the largest energy companies in Europe and a leading international player in the renewable energy sector, will invest in the wind farm and we now look forward to starting work on site very shortly.”
The government decision brings to an end a lengthy planning battle.
Scottish Borders Council refused the plans and a public inquiry got under way in 2008.
It was put on hold due to Ministry of Defence concerns and eventually resumed in March after a break of more than two years.
The Scottish government has now decided that the proposals can proceed.
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