CALLS are being made to put a halt to what has been described as an over development of wind farms in upper Tweeddale.

Over 60 members of the Manor, Stobo and Lyne communities gathered in Stobo Hall on Tuesday evening to voice their concerns at two major developments proposed within their area. Despite the Cloich Forest and Stevenson Hill wind farm applications being considered separately, Gordon Hughes, Chairman of the Manor, Stobo and Lyne has demanded that they be considered as one single application given their close proximity.

The Cloich Forest application could see 18 turbines erected with each turbine capable of generating up to 3MW of power - with a maximum capacity reaching 75MW.

West Coast Energy Limited is currently undertaking a feasibility study for the erection of up to 25 turbines on Stevenson Hill and neighbouring Wether Law. The latest proposal attracted considerable opposition at the meeting on Tuesday evening. Mr Hughes said: "I have never seen such a strong turn out of people to a meeting in our area. Given the terrible weather conditions I also believe a lot more people would have wanted to attend. There was little doubt that people are not happy at the proposals even if they are in the early stage of discussions. There are strong feelings that the combination of both wind farms would constitute substantial over development of a relatively small area." He added: "The feeling is that both wind farms should be considered as a single application given that they are so close to each other. Consideration should also be given to the considerable level of disruption that would be caused if both were given the go ahead. It would have a major impact on the landscape, the roads in the area would come in for considerable disruption and damage and the whole way of life in this area would be affected.

"But many in the hall wondered if the feelings of people at a local level would even be listened to."