March 18, 2011
Scotland

Eddleston says no to Spurlens Rig

David O'Leary, Peeblesshire News, www.peeblesshirenews.com 18 March 2011

The community of Eddleston has said no to plans for a six turbine windfarm near Leadburn.

Lomond Energy, the company behind the Spurlens Rig development, submitted their plan to Scottish Borders Council last December which has promptly drawn over 500 objections.

Eddleston Community Council meanwhile wished to consult with the whole community by way of a survey before forming their own response.

And followng a large response they’ve decided their answer is no.

Community council secretary Margot Porter said: “We were surprised by the strength of response to the survey. “Two-thirds of those surveyed said no to this application even though the vast majority stated they were in favour of windfarms.

“This is also the view of the community council, it’s not whining nimbyism though, it’s just that the location is completely wrong. The development is both too close to nearby houses and the road.

“Rather than becoming part of the view, which windafrms can sometimes be, this windfarm would only get in the way of it.”

In another first for the Borders, Lomond Energy have offered the three nearby communities of Lamancha, Eddleston and Howgate, direct ownership of one single turbine, although at an eye-watering £700,000 one-off cost.

In respect of this Margot added: “Almost everyone surveyed was against the community share, they view it as a bribe.

“We asked even if the application goes ahead would people be in favour of it and the answer was a resounding no.

“People felt it wasn’t morally right for a community of this size to take on a loan of this amount.”

Scottish Borders Council planning committee members will now rule on the application in the coming months.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/18/eddleston-says-no-to-spurlens-rig/