Contentious wind farm application thrown out

A CONTROVERSIAL wind farm application near the Cheviot Hills which
attracted around 1200 objections has been thrown out by planning officials
at Scottish Borders Council.

Swedish firm Vattenfall had wanted to erect five 110 metre-high turbines at
the Whitton wind farm near Morebattle. But the plans met with fierce
opposition led by campaign group Protect Your Cheviots.

Among the objectors was the Duchess of Sutherland who argued the
development would mar views from the Eildons, Cheviots and Carter Bar. She
said: “It would spoil a particularly magnificent part of our countryside.”

In a written decision by the council’s planning department, it states that
the wind farm would have “a significantly adverse effect on local landscape
character”.

Vattenfall had cut the scheme’s size from six turbines to meet concerns of
the Ministry of Defence with regard to the impact on the Eskdalemuir’s
underground nuclear testing station.

They were also offering the local community an incentive of up to £1.875
million in spin-offs from the wind farm over 25 years and won the backing
of Jedburgh councillor Sandy Scott who said most of Morebattle’s residents
were behind it.

A Vattenfall spokesman said the company was disappointed at the decision
and was considering its options.

Contentious wind farm application thrown out

A CONTROVERSIAL wind farm application near the Cheviot Hills which
attracted around 1200 objections has been thrown out by planning officials
at Scottish Borders Council.

Swedish firm Vattenfall had wanted to erect five 110 metre-high turbines at
the Whitton wind farm near Morebattle. But the plans met with fierce
opposition led by campaign group Protect Your Cheviots.

Among the objectors was the Duchess of Sutherland who argued the
development would mar views from the Eildons, Cheviots and Carter Bar. She
said: “It would spoil a particularly magnificent part of our countryside.”

In a written decision by the council’s planning department, it states that
the wind farm would have “a significantly adverse effect on local landscape
character”.

Vattenfall had cut the scheme’s size from six turbines to meet concerns of
the Ministry of Defence with regard to the impact on the Eskdalemuir’s
underground nuclear testing station.

They were also offering the local community an incentive of up to £1.875
million in spin-offs from the wind farm over 25 years and won the backing
of Jedburgh councillor Sandy Scott who said most of Morebattle’s residents
were behind it.

A Vattenfall spokesman said the company was disappointed at the decision
and was considering its options.

Contentious wind farm application thrown out

A CONTROVERSIAL wind farm application near the Cheviot Hills which
attracted around 1200 objections has been thrown out by planning officials
at Scottish Borders Council.

Swedish firm Vattenfall had wanted to erect five 110 metre-high turbines at
the Whitton wind farm near Morebattle. But the plans met with fierce
opposition led by campaign group Protect Your Cheviots.

Among the objectors was the Duchess of Sutherland who argued the
development would mar views from the Eildons, Cheviots and Carter Bar. She
said: “It would spoil a particularly magnificent part of our countryside.”

In a written decision by the council’s planning department, it states that
the wind farm would have “a significantly adverse effect on local landscape
character”.

Vattenfall had cut the scheme’s size from six turbines to meet concerns of
the Ministry of Defence with regard to the impact on the Eskdalemuir’s
underground nuclear testing station.

They were also offering the local community an incentive of up to £1.875
million in spin-offs from the wind farm over 25 years and won the backing
of Jedburgh councillor Sandy Scott who said most of Morebattle’s residents
were behind it.

A Vattenfall spokesman said the company was disappointed at the decision
and was considering its options.