Planners oppose Minch Moor scheme

David O'Leary • Published 6 Aug 2010 09:30 0 Comments

WINDFARM objectors have been buoyed this week as council planners join them in opposing a controversial proposal.

Walkerburn Action Group have campaigned against plans for a 12 turbine wind farm at Minch Moor for the past seven years.

And almost 350 objections have been lodged against the proposal submitted by Swedish state-owned Vattenfall Wind Farm Power Ltd.

This week council planners joined objectors in recommending refusal on the grounds of impact on the landscape and tourism.

The move comes ahead of Scottish Borders Council's planning committee meeting on Monday August 9 at which councillors will decide whether to refuse to approve the application.

Colin Kerr of Walkerburn Action Group said: "This is fantastic news. However, planning officials recommending refusal is one thing, hopefully councillors will follow suit and refuse the application also.

"It's encouraging to know that planners are on our side because we've battled against this for so long. If the proposal is refused it will only be round one because Vattenfall will surely then appeal to the Scottish Executive because they've unvested a lot of money in it."

In his official report, planning officer Craig Miller states how the wind farm 'will have a significant impact on the landscape character of the area' and that the development's significant detrimental visual impact on the area would be exacerbated by the impacts of widespread forestry clearance and aviation lighting.

Colin Kerr, a keen walker said: "The 12 proposed turbines are 105ft high and each of them would have to be fitted with red aircraft avoidance lights which would be seen for miles.

"This is the Southern Upland Way and it's getting to the stage now in the Borders where you'll see wind farms from every summit.

"Land is cheap here in the Borders and we are being targeted by these wind farm companies because of it. We need to say enough is enough before we destroy our beautiful landscape."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 06 Aug 10

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