9 Jan 2025
The public inquiry will go ahead despite all the objections raised, including by the Ministry of Defence
A public inquiry described as ‘unnecessary, unfair and expensive’ regarding a proposed new wind farm in the Scottish Borders will open on 27 January.
Irish state-owned energy company ESB and British-based Coriolis Energy are jointly seeking permission to build 14 turbines with a maximum tip height of 180 metres at the Greystone Knowe development site near Heriot in the Scottish Borders.
The public inquiry is going ahead despite robust opposition to the development from the Ministry of Defence, Scottish Borders Council and local community groups including Heriot Community Council.
Local concern about the impact of the windfarm remains acute. The 180-metre turbines, sited in a prominent position, will be visible from miles around, with a seriously detrimental effect on the character of this remote region. In addition, around 12km of access tracks will be constructed.
The objection from Heriot and Stow and Fountainhall Community Councils can be read here: bit.ly/3SYN6CN
Last year Scottish Borders Council lodged a formal objection to the scheme due to concerns over its environmental impact.
The Ministry of Defence has also objected to the application, citing the fact the wind farm site lies within the 50 km safeguarding zone of the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array (ESA) a seismological monitoring station which is the UK’s primary asset for tracking underground nuclear tests and earthquakes.
Wind farms are not currently permitted within the ESA zone but a consultation is underway to explore whether or not the extent of the safeguarding zone for the ESA may in due course be amended, a decision that rests on the resolution of complex scientific questions.
In the case of Greystone Knowe, due to its location within the zone, there is concern regarding the significance of vibration effects of the proposed wind turbines on the array’s ability to detect seismic activity or nuclear tests. In a firm objection, the MoD judged the Greystone Knowe development to be contrary to the national interest.
At a pre-inquiry meeting, concerns were raised that holding an inquiry that will only tackle some of the issues (and not addressing the issue of the ESA) will result in an outcome that is inefficient, incomplete and much more expensive for all concerned.
The local community in the Scottish Borders is frustrated by the fact that an MoD objection which is in line with Scottish Ministers’ position, coupled with opposition from Scottish Borders Council, has not led to the planning application being refused from the outset, instead of being dragged out over two public examinations.
The inquiry will run from 27-29 January and is expected to be livestreamed on the DPEA web site (here).