Glenburnie Wind Farm sparks renewed concerns over landscape, wildlife – and archaeology

The application, lodged under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, places final approval in the hands of Scottish Ministers rather than the local authority.

Crucially, one of the most significant objections to the Glenburnie (formerly Longcroft) development centres on the area’s rich archaeological heritage. The surrounding uplands are dense with Roman and Iron Age sites, including forts and settlements at Glenburnie, Longcroft, Tollishill, Burncastle, and Dabs Head. This landscape, of both local and national importance, includes evidence suggesting that an offshoot of the Roman Dere Street extended east across Burncastle and Glenburnie, following the route now known as the Herring Road. The potential for unexcavated or undocumented archaeology has triggered renewed calls for heritage protections to be taken as seriously as environmental ones.

Located roughly 6km north of Lauder, Glenburnie is now proposed to consist of up to 12 wind turbines, each with a capacity of around 6.6 MW, for a total installed capacity of ~79.2 MW. Towering at tip heights of up to 220 metres, the turbines would be among the tallest in the region. RES also plans to install a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of up to 50 MW.

This isn’t the first time this hillside has appeared in planning papers. Initially scoped in March 2023, the project underwent two public consultations (in May and September 2023) and several design changes. The layout was trimmed from 21 to 19 turbines, then significantly reduced to 12, citing environmental and community feedback.

While smaller than Longcroft, Glenburnie still adds to a growing cluster of large-scale energy infrastructure in a rural, historically sensitive landscape. Despite the scale reduction, many of the core concerns persist:

·        Landscape and visual impact, especially given the 220m tip height

·        Archaeological impact, with fears of damage to unstudied Roman-era features

·        Ecology and ornithology, in a sensitive upland environment

·        Traffic and access issues during construction

·        Noise and acoustics, particularly for nearby rural communities

The council’s heritage officers lodged a strong objection to the original Longcroft plan, which may have influenced the shift to the Glenburnie proposal. However, indications suggest the council remains opposed due to ongoing concerns about the potential impact on this nationally significant archaeological corridor.

As consultation continues, campaigners are urging that the area’s archaeological value be placed front and centre in the decision-making process. They’re calling for robust heritage protections alongside climate and environmental considerations.

For those wishing to comment on the Glenburnie Wind Farm, the deadline for public representations has been extended to 21 September 2025 – a key opportunity for local and national voices to be heard.

Scotland’s commitment to renewable energy is well established, with wind power a central pillar. But with the Borders already dotted with operational and consented wind farms, some are now asking: how much is too much?