30 Sept 2025
South of Scotland MSP Craig Hoy has written to First Minister John Swinney to call for a temporary halt on new wind farm developments in the Scottish Borders, which appeared in The Border Telegraph last week.
Hoy's appeal comes amid a surge in wind energy projects, raising concerns about the impact on local communities and landscapes.
Several large-scale developments are either underway or planned and Hoy, the Scottish Conservative finance spokesman, says there is insufficient consideration of rural community interests. His letter sets out his central objections, which include:
• Lack of community consultation and meaningful engagement with local residents during the planning process.
• Dismissal of local concerns by the Energy Consents Unit (ECU), with decisions frequently overriding the views of communities and councils.
• Negative environmental impacts on ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
• Increased pressure on local roads and services from construction traffic and infrastructure development.
Hoy warned against the imbalance of power between developers and communities, writing: “Time and time again, the Energy Consents Unit and Scottish ministers routinely override local planning decisions and disregard the very real concerns of local community groups.”
He also expressed frustration at repeated reapplications, saying: “I want to prevent ‘David versus Goliath’ scenarios where aggressive cash-rich developers repeatedly reapply until their renewable project is consented, which sadly we see all too often across South Scotland.”
And while supportive of renewables in principle, Hoy stressed the need for balance: “Of course we need to harness the potential that Scotland has in its renewables sector, but not at the cost of communities and our countryside. It is time to put communities first.”
First Minister John Swinney has acknowledged the importance of balancing renewable energy targets with the preservation of rural communities. While stopping short of agreeing to a moratorium, he has emphasised the government’s commitment to sustainable development and to maintaining dialogue with affected communities.
Hoy’s intervention is a reminder that green energy must not come at any cost. Community voices, local environments, and long-term sustainability deserve equal weight alongside renewable targets.