A public meeting organised by Hobkirk Community Council has voted
ananimously against a nearby wind farm application.
Around 40 people turned out for the meeting in the village’s Laidlaw Hall
last week to voice their concerns over plans for the 15-turbine evelopment
at Birneyknowe and officially record their thoughts.
Although it is estimated only 15 or so villagers were among the crowd, the
community council’s opposition will be noted when the Banks Renewables
application is submitted for planning approval.
Chairman Chris Levell told the Hawick News: “We felt we had to ask the
general public of Hobkirk what they think about Birneyknowe, because
despite 18 months of discussions about this, we had only received five
objections. We felt we had to open it up.”
While Mr Levell admitted that he personally has no objection to the
development, he said he does share the community’s main concerns over
noise, flickering and the amount of vehicles it will generate.
Local Councillor Stuart Marshall added: “There were real concerns that
views from beautiful landmarks such as Ruberslaw will be lost forever.
“I got the feeling that there were still many questions that needed to be
answered by Banks Renewables, and I was not surprised at the response from
the public and the local farming community who quite simply do not want
this project to go ahead.”
Birneyknowe Wind Farm will be located three kilometres from Bonchester
Bridge, and has been the subject of various meetings and public exhibitions.
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