Councillors are told not to oppose Teviot Wind Farm bid. The project has fewer turbines and no solar panels.
Muirhall Energy wants to build it. They changed plans for Teviot Wind Farm. They reduced the number of turbines. The original design had 63 turbines. Now, it has 52.
These changes should make it less visible. The company also removed solar panels. They will store extra energy on-site. Then, they’ll send it to the grid as needed.
The project can help reach energy targets. It follows legal net zero requirements. It could generate £8.8 million yearly. The area might gain 29 jobs. It will operate for 40 years.
The council advises on the plan. The Scottish Government makes final decisions. The Energy Consents Unit handles it. Some worry about local monuments.
People fear for Hermitage Castle’s safety. The Tinlee Standing Stone is also a worry. It is a tall, prehistoric stone. Catrail Earthworks might be affected.
Councillors might not object next week. Some still have visual impact concerns. A report says some turbines moved. The turbines were on lower ground.
Removing them pushes it higher. The site is located on higher ground. A landscape expert sees some landscape issues. The wind farm’s size poses a challenge. It hurts cone-shaped hills’ character.
The hills include Skelfhill Pen and Penchrise Pen. Maiden Paps hill is also a concern. The wind farm engulfs these natural features. The changes made do help some.
The revisions reduce the project’s scale. It lessons the impact on older sites. It also improves how we view the scene. The project removed ten turbines. The solar array is gone as well.
This design limits size and reach. It lessens the visual impact on the scenery. Some prominent turbines are less visible now. The council is recommended to not object.