By Kathryn Wylie
Controversial plans for a wind farm south of Hawick thrown out by Scottish
Borders Council last year have been given the go-ahead after an appeal to
ministers.
Leeds-based Energiekontor has secured approval on appeal for its 12-turbine
Pines Burn wind farm on the Harwood Estate, near Bonchester Bridge.
The plans were first filed by the developer, part of a German-based
company, in January 2017 but were thrown out by the council’s planning and
building standards committee last November.
Rejecting their officers’ advice, councillors concluded that the seven
149.9m-high turbines, plus five to stand at 130m high, would have an
adverse impact on the landscape, as well as having an impact on nearby
historical sites.
But Energiekontor submitted a plea for a rethink to the Scottish
Government’s planning and environmental appeals division in January.
And this week Malcolm Mahony, the reporter appointed by ministers,
overturned the rejection, finding that the project’s benefits outweighed
any impacts on landscape or tourism.
He said: “It would have localised and limited impacts on landscape and
visual amenity and on archaeological assets.
“Cumulative visual impacts would not be sufficient to reject the proposal.
“Evidence of significant adverse effects on tourism generally in this part
of the Borders or specific tourism businesses is not persuasive.
“Other potential impacts could be appropriately managed through planning
conditions and other control regimes.
“Finally, but importantly, it would generate renewable energy and
contribute to carbon emission reduction targets, thereby supporting the
Scottish Government’s objectives for renewable energy and a low carbon
economy.”
All six community councils affected – those at Southdean, Upper Teviotdale,
Hobkirk, Newcastleton, Denholm and Hawick – were against the proposals.
Philip Kerr, chairman of Southdean Community Council, spoke out on behalf
of his neighbouring counterparts at last November’s planning meetings, and
he said this week’s decision had come as a “huge disappointment” to locals.
“We are obviously disappointed that the unified community opinion both at
Scottish Borders Council and a community council level has not really been
taken into account in the decision that has been taken at a national
level,” Mr Kerr he said.
“It has effectively played down local concerns and ignored local interest.
“They do have about 35 conditions to work through, and I am not sure how
long that is going to take.
“From about four years ago, I had concerns about this one because of the
way the rules had been drawn up.
“I thought it was going to be quite tight all the way through.
“I’m disappointed but I’m now looking to the Birkeyknowe decision, and that
is going to be absolutely critical.”
An inquiry into the proposed 15-turbine Birneyknowe development at nearby
Stobs Castle is ongoing.
County Durham firm Banks Renewables says the project could yield a £2.5m
community benefit fund to support local groups and good causes.
However, Scottish Borders Council feels the scheme is not appropriate
because of the landscape, visual and cultural impact it would have.
“Birneyknowe is the worse of all the applications in our area at the
moment,” said Mr Kerr. “It would be a tragedy if it went through as that
would open the flood gates across the whole area for others.
“The Pines Burn decision will have a bearing on the Birneyknowe decision.
“Pines Burn probably has less of an impact than Birneyknowe does – that is
a horrendous one – but the two are right beside each other.”
However, Energiekontor project manager Duncan Taylor has welcomed the
turnaround this week.
He said: “Energiekontor welcomes the decision to grant planning permission.
“In so doing, the suitability of the location and the benefits of the
development have been recognised.
“We note the conclusions drawn by the Scottish Government reporter accord
with those of the council in their committee report.
“We would like to thank those in the community who have supported us over
the past two and a half years.”
The bid had divided opinion, 54 letters of objection having been tabled
alongside 30 submissions of support during the planning process.
Hawick and Hermitage councillor George Turnbull said: “There will be very
mixed feelings about this decision as the landscape will change
dramatically and, in my view, this does not bode well for the future.
“I am aware that many of the community councils worked tirelessly and will
be feeling extremely deflated and frustrated at this decision.
“There was a very loud message that the community were against this
development. It will be interesting to see how the money will be spent from
the community benefit funding, and only time will tell how this development
will settle into the backdrop.
“This development not only affects the Hawick and Denholm Ward but also the
Hawick and Hermitage Ward as it borders both.
“As further applications are processed, I sincerely hope lessons can be
learnt from this and other applications that have gone before.”
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton said: “The decision
to overturn Scottish Borders Council’s decision is nothing less than a
disregard of local democracy.
“Scottish Borders Council based their decision on careful consideration of
the planning evidence presented to them.
“Time and time again, we see the Scottish Government in Edinburgh
interfering with local decision-making, which is contrary to the opinion of
the majority of local residents.”
South Scotland Conservative list MSP Michelle Ballantyne added: “This is
not the first time that we’ve seen central government try and foist an
unpopular development on an unwilling community.
“Scottish Borders Council were clear when they rejected this application
that the scale, form and location of this development would represent a
significant and harmful change to the landscape.
“This is in tune with public opinion. It is clear that local people neither
want nor need this development and they have made their views know. Perhaps
the Scottish Government would do well to listen for a change.”
A Scottish Borders Council spokesman added: “The council notes the Scottish
Government reporter’s decision.”
Revived proposals for a seven-turbine wind farm, to be named Barrel Law,
near Roberton are due to be considered by local authority planners at their
Newtown headquarters on Monday, September 3.
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