August 7, 2013
Scotland

Stevenson halved – but no word on Cloich

Peeblesshire News | 5 August 2013 | www.peeblesshirenews.com

The wind farm firm behind plans for Stevenson Hill, near Rommanobridge, have more than halved the number of turbines they want to erect.

West Coast Energy initially indicated that 25 of the structures could be fitted into land to the east of the village.

Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Natural Heritage both took the unusual step of condemning the proposals at the scoping stage last year.

And community groups within a 10-mile radius also hit out at the scale of the development.

Fears were also sparked regarding the cumulative effect of the planned wind farm at neighbouring Cloich Forest.

This week a scaled-back pre-application, for 11 turbines, was submitted with the local authority.

Tweeddale councillor Catriona Bhatia told us: “The developer did say during the scoping stages that they would revise their plans.

“To have the number of turbines more than halved will go some way to appeasing some of the objectors, although I am sure there will still be concerns.”

The company behind the revised plans will hold public exhibitions in both the Graham Institute, West Linton, and the Newlands Centre during September.

They hope to provide detailed maps and computer-generated visuals from surrounding viewpoints.

Representatives will also hold meetings with nearby community councils.

What isn’t so clear are the plans by Partnership for Renewables to locate 18 132-metre-high turbines at Cloich Forest.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/07/stevenson-halved-but-no-word-on-cloich/