1 Apr 2025
Applause erupted at a Scottish Borders Council planning committee meeting yesterday as councillors rejected a proposal to erect a temporary lattice anemometry mast near Hawick. The decision, driven by significant concerns over the impact on wildlife, residents, and the environment, casts uncertainty over the future of the proposed Mid Hill wind farm project.
The council’s Planning & Building Standards Committee voted four to three to refuse the application, which sought permission for a 90-metre-high mast on land south of Deanburnhaugh. The mast was intended to assess the economic feasibility of a wind farm comprising up to 42 turbines, each with tip heights reaching 200 metres.
A total of 31 objections were lodged against the mast, citing potential threats to Broadlea Loch, the River Teviot, the River Tweed, local wildlife, and the Eskdalemuir Seismic Array. Objectors, many of whom attended the meeting, applauded the committee’s decision.
Councillor Watson McAteer (Hawick & Hermitage) expressed strong opposition, stating: “This application is simply in the wrong place. The land is adjacent to Broadlea Loch, a vital wildlife habitat frequented by Golden Eagles, ospreys, and other species. The risks to these incredible animals are unthinkable. This proposal, along with its wider implications for the Teviot and Borthwick Valley communities and Hawick, is unreasonable and unjustifiable. It is obvious this is the wrong location for the mast and any future projects.”
Councillor Neil Richards (Hawick & Denholm) cautioned: “Approving this mast almost guarantees a future wind farm application. In general, I am against this.”
The refusal of the mast proposal raises uncertainty over the viability of the Mid Hill wind farm project which is still to be determined.
Wildlife concerns and other environmental issues are frequently raised when it comes to wind farm development. While wind power remains a crucial renewable energy source in the fight against climate change, addressing these environmental challenges through better site selection, advanced technology, and effective conservation strategies is essential to ensuring a balanced and sensible approach to clean energy development.