25 Feb 2025
The Scottish Borders has its fair share of wind farms already, yet, despite strong local opposition, a new report has advised Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to not oppose what could be the region’s largest wind farm.
Time and time again we are seeing that even when local communities, community councils, landscape architects, the Ministry of Defence and conservation groups are expressing significant opposition, the council is advised to press ahead regardless.
Let’s look at why this project has been met with so much criticism.
The proposed Teviot Wind Farm has undergone several revisions due to concerns about its environmental and visual impact. Initially, the developer Muirhall Energy planned for 62 turbines with tip heights of 240 meters. In response to feedback, the proposal was reduced to 53 turbines, and more recently, following more feedback, to 52.
Height is a major cause for concern. 45 of the turbines will exceed 200 metres in height, and 9 of these will exceed 240 metres which is unprecedented in Scotland.
Siobhan McDermott, the council's landscape architect, has recommended that the council object to the scheme. She has expressed that even with the reduced number of turbines, the wind farm would have a detrimental impact on the area's distinctive conical hills and steep-sided valleys. In her opinion, the landscape cannot accommodate turbines of this scale without unacceptable negative effects.
In the context of NPF4 and the LDP, Council’s landscape architect’s judgement is that the landscape and visual effects for the Teviot Wind Farm extend beyond localised and that “appropriate design mitigation has not been applied.”
In respect of residential property, the Council’s landscape architect also raises concerns that the scheme will mean that residents will “experience a high magnitude of change”.
Practical issues also are a factor with regards to construction. Past wind farm projects in the region, such as the Pines Burn development, caused significant traffic disruptions, particularly in Hawick. Given the size of the turbine components, similar issues are expected.
Critics argue that the turbines would industrialise a historically scenic and ecologically valuable region. Additionally, there are concerns that the promised community benefits do not adequately compensate for the long-term visual and environmental degradation.
Energy generation and capacity is also problematic. The proposal would have a generating capacity of 300MW which is greater than the capacity of the existing electricity transmission lines in the area. A major 40 km long overhead power line would be needed which has not been considered in either the applicant’s or the Planning Officer’s assessment.
Five community councils have opposed the scheme which indicate widespread local concern. Some also question the transparency of the decision-making process and the effectiveness of public consultations. While the developer has made revisions in response to feedback, such as turbine numbers, the fundamental issues related to landscape impact and environmental disruption remain unresolved.
The Eskdalemuir Array (ESA) is another issue. Currently wind farms are not allowed within 50km of the ESA – one of the UK’s primary assets for tracking underground nuclear tests and earthquakes worldwide. Teviot Wind Farm is just 19km west of the development and future planning policy still needs to be developed in the event the noise budget is revised.
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.
As it stands, Scotland does not need the electricity from this wind farm. Wind energy generation in Scotland is at an all-time high, with current and future demand already being met. So, if this were built, would it simply sere to increase constraint payments?
There are major concerns for the visual amenity and these plans would have a startling impact on the landscape, and would provide little to no benefit.
Will community, as well as expert, concerns be listened to and respected? If rejected, this may set a precedent for stricter regulations on wind farm developments in sensitive landscapes.
SBC’s Planning & Building Standards Committee is due to meet on Monday 3 March to consider the application for the 52-turbine scheme.