A NEWSPAPER poll is being proposed to discover the public’s views on a windfarm development as community leaders struggle to come up with a decision on the best way forward.

Opinions are split over the proposal to erect 18 turbines at Cloich Forest near Eddleston.

The project is set to be considered at a public inquiry with a public examination arranged for May 26 at the Peebles Hydro.

But Peebles Community Council is finding it difficult to decide how it should react to the plans as the public appear to be split on the issue.

Crick Carleton. the chairman of the community council’s planning committee, said: “Some community councils want to use QCs to fight this and we’ve been asked to join in a war chest but we’ve baulked at it as it’s not a clear-cut issue.

“The community council has lodged its formal objection to this development on the basis that without a clear steer as to the views of the community, the fall back position is to maintain the status quo.” But community council member Lesley Morrison bridled at this suggestion and said: “Quite a few of us think if we adopt the status quo for everything we’d be living in a cave - and that’s not the way to make a decision.” A poll held during the recent exhibition and open forum held by Peebles Community Trust drew 50 votes with 25 strongly against the windfarm, 10 broadly in favour and 15 strongly in favour.

Peebles Community Council is now considering organising a public poll.