A joint submission from two community councils has criticised the appellant’s case for approval of plans for a wind farm above Stow.
In a statement submitted to the Shaw Park appeal by Stow and Fountainhall and Heriot community councils, they state that Green Cat Renewables have failed to take into consideration three other proposed wind farms.
The community councils have also hit out at the suggestion that the wind farm would be ‘community owned’, claiming this is “a red herring and should play not part in the planning process”.
Community councillors have also called for the reporter to hold a hearing so concerns about the landscape and visual impact of the proposal can be outlined.
Their statement says that the appellant’s case has some ‘remarkable omissions’, citing the lack of consideration of the potential cumulative impact of the Long Park extension, Girthgate and Muircleugh wind farms.
It also states that the nine Shaw Park turbines would have an “overwhelming adverse effect on Stow, on Lauder Common and more widely”.
The submission concludes: “The community councils consider that the Shaw Park wind farm would have a totally unacceptable impact on local communities, residents and visitors.”
Lauderdale Preservation Group has also submitted a response, stating the landscape and visual impact is sufficient reason for refusal.