IT’S SO APPEALING FOR VALLEY
A jubilant objector, Stuart Bell with the 20 kilometre Broadmeadows visibility map which contributed to the rejection of the proposed windfarm
EIGHT giant wind turbines proposed for the heart of the Yarrow Valley would have had an unacceptable impact on the landscape, according to the Scottish Government reporter who this week threw out an appeal by the company involved.
Greenpower has spent almost eight years trying to get permission for the group of 112m-high turbines at Broadmeadows Farm.
The firm’s proposals for the site, which lies close to the Southern Upland Way, were scaled down from the original 13 to eight of the structures – but this still failed to persuade planning authority councillors when the application came before them last June. Greenpower appealed the decision, but Scottish Border Council’s refusal has now been confirmed by reporter Michael Cunliffe.
In a report outlining his decision, Mr Cunliffe felt the Broadmeadows scheme would have “significant adverse effects” on the landscape.
“I find that the proposed development would not accord with the development plan, by reason of its unacceptable landscape and visual impacts, including, in particular, its effects on Broadmeadows/Yarrowford, the Southern Upland Way and the setting of Newark Castle,” he stated.
Councillor Carolyn Riddell-Carre, SBC executive member for planning and environment, and the Selkirkshire member of the planning committee, said the proposal would have been the wrong development in the wrong place.
“Our landscape is our greatest asset in the Borders and it is really brilliant news that we have stopped these giant turbines from looming over the Yarrow Valley. I hope that companies considering applications for wind farms in the Borders will all take note that our new planning policy cannot be ridden over roughshod,” she added.
Yarrowford resident Ian Yates, a member of the group of objectors which has campaigned against the development, said: “I think the decision is significant because it gives such firm and unequivocal backing to the original decision by the council.”
Mr Yates went on: “I think it is very disappointing that Greenpower chose to go to such great efforts to try to overturn a decision made by our democratically-elected representatives.
“It is unfortunate that the process allowed them to do that, given that the planning committee’s decision last year was unanimous. I certainly feel the process is definitely skewed towards a developer in such instances.”
Clovenfords and District Community Council secretary Stuart Bell, who said local people were “ecstatic” over the decision, thanked residents in the Yarrow and Ettrick valleys for standing firm in their objections over the past seven years to what he said would have been “an outrageous intrusion” on a beautiful landscape.
“Common sense has prevailed,” he added.
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Weather for Selkirk
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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norfolkboy14
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10:38 AMGreat result - well done and congratulations to all concerned. Unfortunately the rest of us still need help. We need to get the Government onside, as well as local councils and others, if we are going to stop these wind turbines being built. Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your objection to the Government by googling "petition 22958" and following the link. Please pass this message on to Councillors, members of your community and anyone else you know to persuade them to sign up too. If you are really concerned about wind turbines please write a letter promoting this petition to the Editors of your local newspapers.
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