Wind Energy

Lammermuir Hills wind farm approved at Fallago Rig in Scotland

Energy Minister Jim Mather has approved a wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills despite a lengthy opposition campaign. A total of 48 wind turbines can now be built by North British Wind Power at Fallago Rig in the Scottish Borders. Mr Mather said construction would create hundreds of jobs and would represent a "significant boost" to the local economy.

"Once up and running the wind farm is expected achieve a carbon saving of thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide each year," he said.

"The local community are represented through the Tweed Forum, and a Fallago Rig environmental fund has been set up which will provide £240,000 each year of operation for local environmental improvements and sustainable development projects."

He said he had put in place a series of conditions to protect natural habitats and landscapes. "It’s encouraging to see constructive dialogue from all parties concerned and I am confident that Fallago Rig will be a centrepiece of Scotland’s renewables legacy," he said.

I hope that the Scottish government will learn lessons from this process in order to improve the integrity and efficiency with which decisions are made in the future”

"I am delighted the result has seen co-operation with all concerned, and I look forward to seeing it become a reality." The development has been the subject of a campaign of opposition by the Say No To Fallago group.

BNWP has defended its site selection saying it is on one of the remotest parts of the Borders, on land already "degraded" by a "massive pylon line".

Chairman Christopher Wilkins said: "We are pleased that after two public inquiries, consent has been granted for our proposed 144 MW wind farm at Fallago Rig in the Scottish Borders.

"We recently announced an agreement under which members of the EDF Group, one of the largest energy companies in Europe and a leading international player in the wind energy sector, will invest in the wind farm and we now look forward to starting work on site very shortly."

Roxburgh and Berwickshire Tory MSP John Lamont said the process had highlighted "significant problems" in the way wind farm developments were handled.

"I hope that the Scottish government will learn lessons from this process in order to improve the integrity and efficiency with which decisions are made in the future," he said.

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