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Search the Public Notice PortalA bid for a new Berwickshire windfarm amounts to ‘cultural vandalism’ against three Iron Age hillforts, councillors have determined.
Members of the council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee have agreed to formally object to the Energy Consents Unit over a plan for a windfarm at Longcroft Farmhouse in Oxton comprising 12 turbines with maximum tip heights of 220m, in addition to a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity for 50 MW.
Councillors received a report from council planning officers which stated that the development would pose “significant adverse effects” on the setting of Addinston, Longcroft and Glenburnie hillforts.
The report stated: “The scale and siting of the turbines will significantly detract from their inter-visibility and dominate key views, integral to the setting of these scheduled monuments and their cultural appreciation.”
The developer, Renewable Energy Systems (RES) had heeded environmental concerns by reducing the number of turbines from 19 to 12.
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But following a site visit, councillors agreed to object to the development.
Councillor Marshall Douglas acknowledged the developer’s efforts, but said: “I don’t think we can get past the positioning of the hillforts and the environment and cultural heritage that signifies. It’s not acceptable that such ancient monuments should have their sighting changed to such an extent.”
Councillor Neil Richards agreed, adding: “I feel that as a bit of a history buff myself that this is a quality area. It’s three Iron Age scheduled monuments and their connection together is fantastic really.
“It would be a scandal is we ruined this site.”
Councillor Donald Moffat added: “If it wasn’t for the hillforts I think we would be supporting this today but we do have our history and history is important.”
Committee chair Simon Mountford said: “I think that if we were to allow the turbines to be installed where they are proposed it could amount to cultural vandalism.”
One alternative view came from Councillor Sandy Scott, who spoke in favour of overturning the officer’s recommendation to object, noting that the only objection to the development had come from the council’s archaeological officer.
