Scawd Law Wind Farm: Last chance to have say on proposals

Last week just seven members of the public had done so for the proposed Scawd Law Wind Farm.

Of those, five objected with two in favour of the proposals for the project planned for the hills north of Innerleithen and Walkerburn.

A 1,000-page application document by developers Fred Olson Renewables Limited (FORL) for the wind farm’s approval was lodged with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consent’s Unit (ECU) in December.

Of the five objections two found the ECU’s website would not let them make comments and resorted to emailing.

Of the others, one resident objected and wrote: “The environmental costs significantly outweigh the environmental benefit.

“Scotland is already a net exporter of electricity and with huge wind developments elsewhere, especially offshore, the renewable electricity from this project is not needed.

“The environmental costs for this project are particularly high.

“It is located in the southern Moorfoots, an area that is currently pristine untouched moorland.

“The site is next to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the access track will have to go through this SSSI.

“The access tracks and concrete bases together with the construction traffic will cause huge damage.

“These huge turbines would tower over the Tweed Valley and would, I believe, be the first to be visible from the valley.

“Sitting on the highest point of the area and with 180m tip heights the turbines would be visible for a very great distance.

“To the north, for example, probably even from Fife.

“They will be highly visible from Cycle Route One which goes along the minor road on the south side of the Tweed between Walkerburn and the bridge at Peel and from the Southern Upland Way between the Three Brethren and Minch Moor.”

In support, one person wrote: “Scotland’s long-term climate change targets require the decarbonisation of our energy system and renewable energy will play a large part of the transition to net zero.

“Wind farms also help to support our economy, employing people directly and using the skills and services of local suppliers, hotels, bed and breakfasts and shops.

“Scawd Law will make a substantial economic contribution especially to some of the more economically disadvantaged villages such as Walkerburn.

“I sincerely hope you will approve these plans which seem to be very well thought out and have taken into account local views during the initial consultation phases.

“Clearly not everyone likes the idea of wind turbines but the main objection seems to be one of visual amenity which is of course purely subjective and not material.”