Broadmeadows wind farm plans rejected

Published 25 Jan 2012 09:30 2 Comments

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a decision to reject plans to build a wind farm at a beauty spot in the Borders.

Renewable energy company GreenPower applied to Scottish Borders Council to build eight turbines at Broadmeadows Farm in the Yarrow Valley.

However, they were unanimously rejected following concerns about the impact it would have on the local landscape.

And the developers, who had argued that the scheme could meet the energy needs of about 12,000 homes and generate significant revenue for the area, appealed against that decision to the Scottish Government.

But it has now been confirmed by the reporter to Scottish ministers who concluded the development would have "significant adverse effects" on the landscape.

Community councillor Stuart Bell, from Clovenfords, said: "Thanks to all to the hundreds of people who for years have persisted in our objections to a proposal which if it had succeeded would have been an outageous intrusion on a beautiful landscape. Common sense has prevailed."

Plans for the wind farm next to the Southern Upland Way - Scotland's only coast to coast footpath - were first submitted eight years ago. The original application included proposals for 13 turbines. They were scaled back but still met with rejection when put before SBC last June.

Michael J P Cunliffe, a Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers, said: "I find that the proposed development would not accord with the development plan, by reason of its unacceptable landscape and visual impacts including in particular its effects on Broadmeadows/Yarrowford, the Southern Upland Way and the setting of Newark Castle.

"Against that, I have to balance the significant contribution the wind farm could make to renewable electricity targets. I am of the view, however, that the benefits of the appeal proposal do not outweigh its adverse effects and do not justify a departure from the development plan."

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 25 Jan 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  norfolkboy14
  5 posts
  Jan 25, 10:30
  Report comment

  Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your objection to the Government on
  
  
  
  http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22958
  
  
  
  or by googling "petition 22958" and following the link.
  
  
  
  Please pass this message on to Councillors, members of your community and anyone else you know to persuade them to sign up too. If you are really concerned about wind turbines please write a letter promoting this petition to the Editors of your local newspapers.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 2

• 

  George
  Unregistered User
  Jan 25, 21:11
  Report comment

  Why are our extortionate electricity bills being used to subsidise multinationals and millionaire landowners to trash the finest landscapes in Western Europe?
  
  What sort of green policy actually destroys the environment it is supposed to be protecting?
  
  Lets have renewables that provide, predictable, reliable, constant power!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 3     No 0

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