Plans have been revealed for the construction of another wind farm on land
near to one already in operation five miles west of Duns.
An energy firm has lodged a report with Scottish Borders Council detailing
its proposal for a 470-hectare wind farm close to Langton Lees.
RES UK estimates that the site has the capacity for 14 turbines, up to 132
metres in height.
The firm’s scoping report, submitted ahead of making a formal planning
application, provisionally estimates that the wind farm could be built in a
period of 12 to 18 months.
Its description of the proposed project includes two permanent
meteorological masts, an access road to the nearest public road as well as
public road improvements.
It says the options would include an access route from the north of the
site near Langtonlees Farm, or a new route from the site to the B6456.
The report also states that a traffic management plan would need to be
agreed with the local roads authority and other stakeholders.
There would also be a substation compound and, depending on the
availability of stone at the site, borrow pits.
RES UK, which has built 115 wind farms around the world, says the normal
operational lifespan of wind turbines is between 25 and 30 years.
After 25 years, they would be either removed, reconditioned or replaced.
At present, the site lies in the southern Lammermuir Hills Area of Great
Landscape Value. However, these AGLVs are currently under review, and it is
thought that boundary changes will mean the Langton Lees wind farm would
not be subject to any special landscape designations.
RES already operate 22 78m turbines at the nearby Black Rig site, and
immediately to the west of that site,energy firm Ecotricity are looking to
develop a farm of nineteen turbines over 100m tall.
This brings the number of planned and consented wind farms in a 35km radius
to 44.
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