7 Jul 2026
Local communities in the Scottish Borders have expressed their concern as energy mega-firm Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) continues to mislead over the location of its 54-acre substation, planned for beautiful countryside near Lauder and the historic Lauder Common.
The substation is called ‘Gala North’ which has misled local people, many of whom think it relates to the existing Galashiels substation.
A first public consultation on the development closes on 10 July.
Rory Steel, chair of Lauderdale Preservation Group, said: “SPEN is trying to disguise the location but the reality is that this is a major industrial development, not in Galashiels but in the beautiful countryside of Lauderdale.
“This substation is also a Trojan horse, as SPEN has admitted that it would unlock other industrialization planned for the region – massive battery storage projects, further windfarms, power lines and solar power sites. A substation here would enable massive new pylon lines from the north of Scotland to Manchester, likely to stretch right across Lauder Common.
“SPEN is misleading the public about the location, the scale and the impact of this devastating development.”
Lauder Common was gifted to the inhabitants of Lauder by William the Lion (1142-1214) younger brother of Malcolm IV. It is the largest remaining piece of historic, ‘common land’ in Scotland. Every year the Lauder Common Riding celebrates the custom of riding the marches of the burgh commons. It forms a central part of the history, heritage and culture of Lauderdale.
The substation is proposed for a site adjacent to Threepwood Moss, one of the most important raised bog habitats in South East Scotland. The Moss is designated as both a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a UK Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Six power lines would converge at Gala North, including the Cross Border line, Harburn Galanorth, and a break in the line from Dun Law windfarm to Eccles via Galashiels.
Developments which could connect to the new substation include: Glenburnie, Longmuir, Greystone Knowe, Torfichen and Scawd Law windfarms, as well as Woodhead solar farm, the re-powering of Dun Law wind farm and battery energy storage sites proposed for the Scottish Borders.
SPEN’s consultation mentions a substation of six hectares, but their plans detail a development area of 22 hectares to include the substation, access roads, drainage infrastructure and earthworks.
The ‘diversion’ of the ZA overhead line (which would in fact result in two power lines) would also remove up to 30 hectares of native and commercial woodland.
The public consultation is closing on 10 July.