1 Sept 2025
A former Secretary of Sate for Scotland has called for a moratorium on new large-scale windfarm and pylon developments in the Borders.
Writing in the Southern Reporter last week, veteran Conservative MP David Mundell warned that the sheer scale of current and proposed wind farms is transforming the character of Scotland’s countryside.
Mr Mundell, who has been the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale since 2005, and served as Scotland secretary from 2015-19, argued that local voices are being overlooked in the drive to meet national energy targets.
“The balance has tipped too far in favour of simply rubber-stamping windfarm and pylon developments and against the interests of the communities which are directly impacted,” he wrote.
He pointed in particular to the proposed Cross Border Connection, which would involve a 50-mile line of 200-foot pylons to carry power from major wind farm sites. He said the project would carve through scenic landscapes and leave small communities dominated by steel structures.
Concerns are not confined to the Borders. Earlier this month, 53 rural community councils from across the Highlands called for a moratorium on major windfarm and pylon applications. They argued that the cumulative effect of vast turbine arrays and transmission lines threatens to accelerate depopulation and undermine tourism, which remains central to the Highland economy.
The councils want no further approvals until a coherent national energy policy is developed and a full economic impact assessment is undertaken.
Mr Mundell has now echoed those calls in the Borders. He said: “I feel that the exact same arguments can be made in respect of the Scottish Borders and that it is now time for a moratorium on large-scale windfarm and pylon developments.”
While renewable energy is essential to Scotland’s future, it must not come at the expense of unspoiled landscapes or the quality of life for those living closest to large-scale wind developments.