Council object to largest wind farm proposed in the Borders

This objection triggers a Public Local Inquiry which will now take place as the final decision on the scheme rests with the Scottish Government.

Teviot Wind Farm, proposed by Muirhall Energy, initially consisted of 62 turbines but was later revised to 52 following local concerns. Even at its reduced scale, the project, if approved, could be the region’s largest wind farm.

Despite these adjustments, significant objections about this scheme remain, particularly regarding the potential landscape and visual impacts. According to Siobhan McDermott, the council's landscape architect the revised proposal would have unacceptable negative effects on the area's distinctive conical hills and steep-sided valleys.

Last week, a report to the SBC Planning and Building Standards Committee recommended that the council not oppose the scheme, however the vote went 5 to 3 in favour of raising an objection.

Whilst NPF4 is more favourable towards wind farm development, the policy makes it clear that wind farm developments should not be approved at all costs.

Here, there are major concerns for the visual amenity and these plans would have a startling impact on the landscape, therefore it is encouraging to see that the committee’s application of NPF4 has resulted in this going to an Inquiry.

Will this set a precedent for stricter regulations on wind farm developments in sensitive landscapes?

The forthcoming Public Local Inquiry will assess many factors, balancing the project's potential benefits against environmental, visual and community concerns, and the Scottish Government (ECU) will take the final decision on whether or not the wind farm should go ahead.