June 18, 2014
Scotland

Scottish Borders wind farm curb attempt opposed by firms

BBC News | 18 June 2014 | www.bbc.co.uk

Nine wind farm companies have objected to a council’s attempts to curb future developments within its area.

A new development plan for the Scottish Borders authority highlights the cumulative landscape impact of the growing number of turbines.

It asks the Scottish government to be cautious in approving any more.

Wind farm developers have voiced concerns about that stance which they say is contrary to national targets for renewable energy.

According to Scottish Borders Council there are already 306 turbines in the region.

Ten more are under construction – and another 41 have received planning permission.

‘Cumulative impacts’

A draft of the authority’s new local development plan advocates caution in further wind farm expansion – fearing “adverse and cumulative impacts on landscape”.

In addition, a letter to the Scottish government – which will ultimately have to ratify the plan – asks that ministers do not overrule council planning decisions should developers appeal.

That has prompted objections from a number of wind farm firms, many pointing out the national target which aims to generate all Scotland’s electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

One of the developers has requested that parts of the development plan are withdrawn.

Others have asked for it to be rewritten – saying there is “no national planning guidance support for any such precautionary approach”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/18/scottish-borders-wind-farm-curb-attempt-opposed-by-firms/