Residents in Oxton and Channelkirk have been left reeling after plans for a giant wind farm next to the village emerged. | By Kirsty Smyth | The Southern Reporter | Monday, 7th Decmeber 2020 | www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk
Residents in Oxton and Channelkirk have been left reeling after plans for a giant wind farm next to the village emerged.
E Power Limited will apply for planning permission to build the 15-turbine wind farm at Ditcher Law, 8km from Lauder.
If built, the turbines will stand at a maximum height of 220 metres – more than twice the height of Big Ben.
Richard Curtin said: “My family and I live right in the middle of it. There are other local residents and families that live near us at Carfrae and we’re concerned about the size of it.
“Any wind turbine over 150 metres requires aviation warning lights and the 15 proposed are 220 metres.
“They would dwarf the wind turbines currently located further up at Soutra/Dun Law on the A68, which are about a third of the size.”
E Power Limited submitted a letter to the Scottish Government last month, stating their intention to submit an application for the wind farm – it would have to be approved by the Scottish Government rather than Scottish Borders Council because of its size.
“The first myself or my neighbours heard of it was a post on the Oxton and Channelkirk Comnmunity Council’s Facebook page last week,” Richard said.
“I understand the need for renewable energy sources but the Lammermuirs is a designated landscape of environmental interest.
“There are other wind farms around but nothing on this scale and the hills in question are already quite high.
“Usually turbines of this size are put in remote areas or off shore. The zoned area borders the A68 going right past Oxton and Channelkirk but it is not just the immediate area that would be affected, the turbines would be clearly seen from Lauder and Heriot.”
Comments on the scheme can be submitted via the ‘Representation’ tab on the Scottish Government website until Tuesday, December 15.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/12/08/plans-for-15-turbine-wind-farm-near-oxton-revealed/