Plans for wind farm near Eddleston proposed to council

Alan Ferguson • Published 24 Oct 2012 09:30 1 Comment

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a large-scale windfarm near Eddleston have been submitted to Scottish Borders Council.

Partnership for Renewables want to erect 18 wind turbines at Cloich Forest, a wedge of land owned by the Forestery Commission near the Peeblesshire village.

Many locals have already voiced their concerns about the 132-metre-high turbines and say they can detract tourists, spoil views and harm wildlife.

Others are blown away - claiming renewable energy is a step in the right direction in creating a more environmentally friendly nation.

It's now up to Scottish Borders Council's planning committee to give its determination.

Tweeddale West Councillor Catriona Bhatia spoke to the Peeblesshire News about the issue.

She said: "Now is the time for the debate to begin - there are a lot of arguments going around both for and against it.

"Communities will have to look at the options and weigh them up.

"There are benefits to having wind powered with nuclear, as opposed to any other forms of generating energy.

"The finance application has only just gone in - so we have to wait and see now. If people have a view on it then they should look at all the information provided."

Councillor Bhatia added: "At the moment the impact is being lessened because it is in the middle of a forest which is due to be felled at some point to harvest the wood.

"I know the Partnership for Renewables have made some changes in the light of the preconsultation but whether that's enough to satisfy, we don't know yet."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 19 Oct 12

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Concerned
  Unregistered User
  Nov 15, 17:58
  Report comment

  The beautiful Borders countryside is being wrecked. There are already too many wind farms and another is not needed. This is just 'flavour of the month' for the Scottish Government to throw money at - money which many landowners are only too happy to take. Who is going to benefit? Certainly not people who live in and use the Borders area for leisure activities. Acres of landscape despoilation would only provide enough power for a small village, and that only when the wind is blowing.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

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