March 4, 2021
Scotland

Faw Side wind farm rejected by Borders councillors

By Mike Thomson, Reporter | Border Telegraph | www.bordertelegraph.com

Borders councillors have opposed plans to build 13 turbines in the region.

During a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee on Monday, the proposal by Community Windpower to build 45 turbines across the region and nearby Dumfries and Galloway was rejected.

However, due to the size of the proposed turbines, the Scottish Government has the final say.

Councillors were mainly in agreement regarding the Faw Side wind farm, near Langholm, with Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton describing it as a “non-starter”.

Helen Laing, councillor for East Berwickshire, said: “These turbines are massive and would dominate this landscape. I’m naturally inclined to support renewable energy but I don’t think this is the right place.”

According to council officers, the tallest turbines would reach 200 metres.

The applicant states that the development would create enough energy to power over 325,000 homes, as well as creating 200 construction jobs.

Mid Berwickshire councillor Donald Moffat voiced his support for the turbines during the meeting.

“Landscape character doesn’t pay the bills,” he said. “If it was up to the local public in the area, they would be supporting it. The younger generation think they’re [wind farms] great.”

SBC’s views will be passed onto the government’s Energy Consents Unit.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/03/04/faw-side-wind-farm-rejected-by-borders-councillors/