A CONTROVERSIAL wind farm application near the Cheviot Hills which attracted around 1200 objections has been thrown out by planning officials at Scottish Borders Council.

Swedish firm Vattenfall had wanted to erect five 110 metre-high turbines at the Whitton wind farm near Morebattle. But the plans met with fierce opposition led by campaign group Protect Your Cheviots.

Among the objectors was the Duchess of Sutherland who argued the development would mar views from the Eildons, Cheviots and Carter Bar. She said: "It would spoil a particularly magnificent part of our countryside."

In a written decision by the council's planning department, it states that the wind farm would have "a significantly adverse effect on local landscape character".

Vattenfall had cut the scheme's size from six turbines to meet concerns of the Ministry of Defence with regard to the impact on the Eskdalemuir's underground nuclear testing station.

They were also offering the local community an incentive of up to £1.875 million in spin-offs from the wind farm over 25 years and won the backing of Jedburgh councillor Sandy Scott who said most of Morebattle's residents were behind it.

A Vattenfall spokesman said the company was disappointed at the decision and was considering its options.