
28 Jan 2025
The public inquiry into Greystone Knowe Wind Farm began today after a one-day delay due to Storm Éowyn.
Presided over by Sinéad Lynch, a reporter from the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA), the day focused on examining the landscape and visual impacts relating to the proposed wind farm.
Groups and organisations who opposed the wind farm, including Scottish Borders Council and Heriot Community Council, were represented.
Kelly Anderson, landscape architect and director at Stephenson Halliday was cross examined by the legal teams. One of the issues discussed was the impact of the development which has been determined by her report as ‘significant’.
Kelda Platt of Munro Landscape, who was giving evidence on behalf of Scottish Borders Council, was also cross examined. In her precognition for the inquiry, she stated: “The proposed development is expected to produce highly significant adverse effects, within an area of rural population, business interests and tourist resource. Mitigation proposals appear to be insufficient and unsuccessful, in particular, the aim to contain effects to a reasonable degree and ensure adequate separation from the adjoining, more sensitive valley landscape.”
She added: “The conclusions drawn by Ms Anderson with regards to cumulative effects and likely minimal overall change are also contested, with a clear likelihood of increased effects within the cumulative context, through the introduction of Greystone Knowe. Overall conclusions are that the proposed development will result in impacts of a severe nature to the local and wider area, due to location, siting and scale of infrastructure.”
Also in attendance was Councillor Marshall Douglas from Scottish Borders Council, who has objected to the scheme.
In his precognition Councillor Douglas stated: “NPF4 places weight on the localised or not localised nature of the impacts of the development. Having had the opportunity to review the proposal as well as viewing many relevant viewpoints, it became my view that the impacts went beyond a localised area. It was clear to me that the turbines would be visible and star on the land scape from many key points across the Scottish Borders area.”
He added: “Having had careful regard to the representations of our Officers, and those of objectors and relevant consultees, and having formed the view that the Wind farm proposal would create an unacceptable impact as I have described, I considered that the proposal was not in accordance with the Development plan nor National Planning Framework 4, and as such we should formally object to it.”
The development was also discussed in relation to Wull Muir Wind Farm, a controversial development which was approved this month to the north west of Greystone Knowe and will introduce further significant visual and landscape effects.
The inquiry will continue tomorrow as follows:
Wednesday 29 January 9.30 – 13.00 Landscape and Visual Impact Inquiry Session
Wednesday 29 January 14.00 – 17.00 Policy Hearing Session
Wednesday 29 January 19.00-21.00 Community Hearing Session
Thursday:
Thursday 30 January 9.30 – 13.00 Conditions Hearing Session
Thursday 30 January 14.00 – 17.00 Noise Inquiry Session
Webcast to the inquiry: https://dpea.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/949601