Wind farm threatens Borders Iron Age forts

by LESTER CROSS

Historic Environment Scotland has warned it is unlikely to provide the necessary consents for development of a 19-turbine wind farm which, it is claimed, would have a devastating impact on a chain of Iron Age hill forts and a prehistoric homestead in the Lammermuirs near the Borders town of Lauder.

The sites which could be seriously blighted by the wind farm are protected Scheduled Monuments of national importance, and HES has told the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit (ECU) that any direct impacts on the forts without Scheduled Monument Consent, administered by HES, would be likely to trigger so-called Compliance Procedures. These could include enforcement and stop notices.

Renewable Energy Systems Group has applied to the ECU for permission to construct Longcroft Wind Farm with turbines of approximately 6.6 megawatts each and associated ancillary infrastructure. The towers would have a maximum blade tip height of up to 220 metres, and a Battery Energy Storage System  with a capacity up to 50 megawatts.

In a 24-page report on the proposals, HES insists there are no mitigation measures outlined in the company's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to lessen the overall detrimental affect on the monuments in their care.

The report states: "The proposed development raises significant concerns for our interest, such that we object to the proposal for its significant adverse impacts on the integrity of the setting of the following scheduled monuments: Addinston, fort, Longcroft, fort, Glenburnie, fort and Longcroft Hill homestead".

Following review of the EIA report and visualisations provided by the applicant, and HES's own site visit in February, the heritage agency considers there is no mitigation which is likely to reduce the impacts to a level that is acceptable. Furthermore, HES considers that the conclusions reached within the cultural heritage chapter of the EIA report have underestimated the severity of impacts on several heritage assets and their setting.

"We identified our concerns with the proposed development and the direct impacts to the prehistoric monuments within and in near proximity to the development site, potential impacts on their setting, and disruption of the key relationships between the monuments in the area within and surrounding the proposals. 

"We highlighted that the proposed development would be located in a rich archaeological landscape which overlooks Leader Water and that this landscape included a chain of prehistoric forts located in strategic positions above the valley from which the proposed development would be highly visible."

"The conclusions reached in the Cultural Heritage chapter of the EIA report have underestimated the severity of impacts upon several scheduled monuments and their setting. The HES assessment of these impacts is that they are significant and sufficient to raise issues of national interest."

Each of the monuments is considered in some detail.

Addinston Fort - The monument is a hillfort which dates to the later prehistoric period. The fort is oval  and has twin ramparts with external ditches, measuring approximately 82 metres northwest to south-east to 50 metres transversely. The inner rampart and ditch have been constructed on a massive scale. A causeway across the inner ditch marks the position of an entrance at the south-east.

"The monument is a well-preserved example of a hillfort, which can make a significant addition to understanding the construction, function and symbolism of later prehistoric hillforts. Its form and position, together with a number of sites of similar date but of varied type in the immediate vicinity and along the Leader Water, have the potential to greatly increase our understanding of the settlement, economy and development of the landscape in the Iron Age in this area."

The RES assessment suggests the turbines would represent a minor effect on its [Addinston Fort] setting, resulting in a moderate adverse impact. 

But that view is strongly challenged by HES. They say: "No mitigation is proposed in the EIA report to lessen adverse impacts; therefore, we consider that the proposed development raises issues of national interest for our remit in relation to Addinston, Fort such that we would object to the proposals.

And HES has adopted a similar position so far as the other three monuments are concerned.

Longcroft fort - The monument comprises a hillfort which dates to the later prehistoric period. The fort is also oval in shape, with a series of four large ramparts and intermediate ditches. Where best preserved in the north-east of the site, the earthworks measure 26 metres across, with the ramparts surviving to over 1.5 metres in height.

"The eastern entrance appears to cut through the rampart in an oblique fashion, making access to the fort’s interior less straightforward, and possibly designed to put the visitor at a deliberate disadvantage. The monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a hillfort, which can make a significant addition to understanding the construction, function and symbolism of later prehistoric hillforts."

Glenburnie fort -  The monument comprises a fort which dates to the prehistoric period. The ramparts are on the south-east side of the fort and cross the neck of the spur to enclose the site of the fort. Again, HES assert the monument is of national importance as a well-preserved example of a promontory hillfort, which can make a significant addition to understanding the construction, function and symbolism of later prehistoric hillforts.

"Its form and position, together with a number of sites of similar date but of varied type in the immediate vicinity and along Lauderdale, have the potential to greatly increase understanding of the settlement, economy and development of the landscape in the Iron Age in this area."

Longcroft Hill homestead - The monument comprises a scooped homestead of the Iron Age (some 2000 to 3000 years old). The homestead consists of a roughly oval scoop with a broad, high bank on the downhill side. The monument is of national importance because it is a well-preserved example of an Iron Age scooped settlement with associated field boundary which has the potential to enhance  understanding of monuments of this type. 

In conclusion HES asserts: "Turbines, along with ancillary infrastructure of the proposed development, would have a significant adverse impact on the integrity of the monuments’ setting. They would significantly undermine the ability to understand, appreciate and experience important aspects of the monuments’ setting, including key views and approaches, the intentional exploitation of the topographical landscape, and the deliberate construction of the hillforts to be visible and have visibility and control over this landscape. Consequently, this would significantly reduce the ability to understand, appreciate, and experience the monuments’ cultural significance."

James Cameron, Senior Development Project Manager for Longcroft Wind Farm, told us:.

"RES takes time to carefully design our projects to maximise local economic, social and environmental benefits. At Longcroft Wind Farm we started talking to the local community and other stakeholders, including Historic Environment Scotland (HES), about our initial proposals in spring 2023. 

"The valuable feedback we received during our pre-application consultation led to us to refine the design of the project by dropping a total of five turbines. 

"We’ll take time to carefully review the response by HES but believe that the design of the project appropriately balances the protection of the local cultural heritage assets with the need for low cost, renewable electricity and action to tackle the climate emergency. 

"Additionally, the wind farm could generate approximately £65 million in business rates to Scottish Borders Council over its operational lifetime, supporting vital local services and provide a tailored community benefit package worth £627,000 each year."