Valley folks divided over giant Teviot wind farm

SPECIAL FEATURE ON A DEVELOPING BORDERS CONTROVERSY

Soon after a Scottish Government planning reporter retired to consider her verdict on a proposed 45-turbine wind farm in a remote corner of the Scottish Borders campaigners are involved in a new skirmish centred on an even bigger project in a neighbouring valley.

A public inquiry into the Faw Side community wind farm in the Newcastleton-Langholm area concluded its series of hearings earlier this month with a decision expected by early December. Opponents claim the scheme would ruin an unspoilt landscape while supporters point to potential jobs and financial benefits for local projects.

Now, virtually identical arguments are being advanced as the planning process for a 62-turbine facility in the Teviotdale valley, near Hawick, grinds into action. And a number of the parties who expressed strong views over Faw Side seem to be equally passionate about Muirhall Energy's Teviot plans. Letters of objection have arrived from as far away as Australia and California.

This time some opponents are warning of threats to the Teviothead Volcanic Complex and to UNESCO's World Heritage Roman Frontier. But those in favour say they had not heard of these two 'important natural assets' until Muirhall's planning application went in. 

A large bundle of correspondence has already been deposited on the government's Economic Consents Unit website, illustrating the sharp divide within the local community and beyond.

There is strong support for Muirhall's Teviot wind energy concept from the Duke of Buccleuch's estates with a number of the turbines to be sited on Buccleuch land or on the fields and hillsides of the estate's tenants.

But one of the scheme's biggest critics (so far) is a former Buccleuch tenant who bought her 155-acre agricultural holding from the duke before setting up an acclaimed luxury visitor attraction.

The establishment of the top-of-the-range Stouslie farm glamping pods was fraught with difficulty for Carly Anderson after she applied for planning permission for her ambitious venture in the hills beyond Hawick.

Planners at Scottish Borders Council initially rejected the proposals claiming the pods would be an intrusion in the landscape. Permission was refused in July 2020. But three months later the council's Local Review Body [LRB] overturned that negative decision.

The LRB declared: "The development is considered to be an appropriate and justified tourism use in an attractive location".

Now the Andersons are faced with the prospect of their fledgling business being ruined if Muirhall is allowed to erect skyscraper-sized turbines directly opposite the glamping site.

In her detailed submission to the Energy Consents Unit, Mrs Anderson explains: "Last year we began the construction of small family run Glamping site called Stouslie Snugs Luxury Farm Glamping and opened at the very end of June 2021. The reason for this farm diversification was to secure our farming future and provide a tangible opportunity for our son if he would like to continue farming when he grows up."

She describes obtaining planning permission for the site as "a difficult experience" that lead to the proposal initially being rejected as the planning officer decided that 3.2m high and 7m long timber Glamping pods that were only 175m away from the farm house were in a... "site that occupies an isolated and exposed location where the landscape and visual impacts of the proposals fail to sympathetically integrate with the character, appearance and sense of place of the surrounding rural area."

Mrs Anderson continues: "Now by comparison, this new onshore wind farm proposal is on a whole new level. It isn't just an average onshore wind farm where the total height of a wind turbine is around 125m. This goes way above and beyond that with tip heights at 240 metres. 

"This is higher than some of the UK's largest skyscrapers based in London such as the 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin) at 180m and more than double the height of Big Ben which is 96 metres tall. You combine that height with the volume of structures and this wind farm will catastrophically change our landscape forever! The industrialisation of what is a picturesque landscape towering over the historic borders town of Hawick. 

"How can this proposal comply with any part of our Local Development Plan? A plan that was put in place to safeguard our beautiful untouched landscape and prevent development that will ruin our region. I hope this application is treated with the same scrutiny, regulations and rules that applied to our small 3.2m high Glamping pods that were ultimately deemed too visible."

Her powerful argument includes an extremely gloomy prediction should the Teviot wind farm get the go-ahead.

"For us personally, the sheer magnitude and area covered by this proposal will undoubtedly have a dramatic effect on our Glamping business. Our site was designed in every way around the view over the rolling hills and skyline of the Teviotdale valley either side of Skelfhill Pen. Each pod is pointed towards this view and we installed floor to ceiling full glass front to enjoy the view even when you are inside the pod. 

"It is what every single guest that has stayed with us comments on... Wow! That. View! It's our unique selling point and the reason that guests choose to stay with us over other Glamping sites across the UK. If this wind farm is approved this view (one that everyone loves and appreciates) will be destroyed."

Mrs Anderson goes on to state: "Every small business contributes to prosperity of the town and region not just a company that dangles a golden carrot in front of a town in order to get their approval. We have invested a serious amount of money into this business but what happens to us when the bookings drop? And they will drop. Quite honestly all the hard work we have put in so far feels like it has been ripped away from under our feet with this proposal. It's enough to make you cry."

Those views are certainly not shared by Jon Alexander, chief operating officer for Buccleuch.

According to Mr Alexander, Buccleuch have worked closely with the team at Muirhall Energy to understand the Teviot scheme and the positive benefits it will have for the environment, community, and local economy during construction and throughout its lifetime. 

His written submission says: "I should declare that Buccleuch have made land available for the scheme, but this has been after careful thought and consideration. Every land use decision Buccleuch takes involves a delicate balancing act between environmental, community and economic interests and our guiding priorities have environment and community at their core. 

"We now find ourselves in a time of climate crisis, which threatens to change our landscape irrevocably. As a business and a nation, we must make decisions and find solutions to do our part to reverse this, and Teviot windfarm will play an important role in this, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The proposed development is predicted to produce enough electricity to power 440,000 homes, and offset 412,000 CO2 equivalent each year, when compared to traditional electricity production."

Mr Alexander claims Muirhall, and Buccleuch have thoughtfully discussed the windfarm and Buccleuch were keen to understand the ecological and environmental mitigations included within the development. 

"I was heartened that the wider proposals include innovative landscape enhancement plans, which have been sensitively designed to benefit and enhance the natural environment. The native woodland planting outlined will grow to be enjoyed by future generations, and also brings with it natural climate resilience. Alongside this, there will also be peatland restoration and habitat creation, all of which will increase the biodiversity of the area."

Both Buccleuch and Muirhall were keen that the Teviot windfarm works for the community. Following consultation, the number of turbines was reduced. 

"These will sit across various landholdings in the area, with the majority situated outwith Buccleuch’s Borders Estate. When constructed, Teviot windfarm will also work for the community financially by providing the largest community investment package of its kind in the UK. Muirhall have estimated that the scheme could produce £2.8m annually for local communities to spend on what matters to them most."

Mr Alexander concludes: "We find ourselves at a pivotal moment when we can make positive changes to address the climate crisis. At times, these will be difficult and challenge our thoughts on the natural environment. Our landscapes are ever changing and have been so ever since our ancestors first settled many millennia ago. It is continually being reshaped and will continue to be so long after you and I are gone. It is important that we endeavour to do the right thing for both our environment and communities while making these decisions. The Teviot Windfarm, which will be in place for a finite period, is an opportunity to help redress the climate imbalance and hopefully provide a sustainable future for the next generation."