By Sarah Devine

A decision on planning consent for the eight-turbine Howpark Wind Farm near
Grantshouse has been postponed for the impact of turbine noise to be
investigated.

Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee agreed on Monday, March 27,
that a new noise impact survey should be undertaken before a decision is
reached.

The site for the wind farm proposed by applicants LE20 Ltd, is adjacent to
the operational 22-turbine Drone Hill Wind Farm and the 14-turbine
Penmanshiel Wind Farm, currently being built.

A key concern for councillors was that the committee previously opposed
Drone Hill and Penmanshiel wind farms but their decision was overturned by
the Scottish Government. The report before councillors this week noted:
“The existing wind farm developments at Drone Hill and Penmanshiel have
changed the character of the landscape.”

In 2014 the council’s planning committee concluded that this location in
eastern Berwickshire had reached its maximum capacity for wind turbines but
developers continue to submit applications.

Community councils for Abbey St Bathens, Bonkyl and Preston, Cockburnspath
and Cove and Grantshouse all objected to the current proposal as did 24
residents.

East Berwickshire councillor Michael Cook said: “It’s by no exaggeration to
say that without the existing wind farms this would be an open and shut
case, this application would be roundly rejected.

“The only reason the recommendation is for approval is, in the words of the
report, the new adverse impact caused by this development is diluted by the
proposal being added to the backdrop of the existing wind farms.”

Councillor Michelle Ballantyne found the issue of noise troubling. She
said: “We used to talk about the fact that wind turbines needed to be at
least 2-2.5km away from housing, now its 700m and that’s an enormous
difference for people who have to live with this on a daily basis.”

Her concerns about noise were echoed by all other members of the committee.

A report by the council’s chief planning officer recommended that the
committee approved the application stating in his report: “It is
considered, on balance, that the scale of change is not so significant as
to warrant refusal.”

His report also adds: “Noise generated by the development of Howpark is not
considered likely to detrimentally affect the amenity of affected
residential properties.”

Councillor Ron Smith concluded: “To be able to defend a refusal we need to
be absolutely secure in our understanding of the grounds, therefore it
might be beneficial to continue this for a fuller report on how noise will
be assessed, monitored and responded to.”


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