Group up efforts to stop wind farm applications

MOFFAT’S community council is upping its efforts in the fight for a suspension on commercial renewable energy applications.

Members of the community council attended the South of Scotland Convention in Jedburgh at the weekend along with representatives from Beattock, Ecclefechan and Wanlockhead – as well the Scottish Borders – to demand a temporary pause on major renewals applications.

Since 2022, over 30 major energy projects, including windfarms with turbines exceeding 200 metres, have been approved in Dumfries and Galloway alone.

Moffat has had its own share of issues relating to windfarm and BESS applications, with many residents repeatedly raising concerns about the impact of such projects on the areas landscapes and tourism.

Reflecting on Saturday’s event, a spokesperson for Moffat and District Community Council (MDCC) said: “The general theme was that despite the recognition of the need for renewables, communities are being ignored in the planning process, that developments are outstripping current and future demand, and are being designed and situated in a way that is insensitive to communities and landscape, in order to maximise developer profitability.

“The Scoop Hill wind farm is proposed in full view of all our southern gateways.

“There’s a ring of new local turbine farm proposals—Rivox, Kinnelhead, Watchman, Clyde South, Daer, and an extension to Harestanes for us to cope with.

“Individually, and together, these risk real economic damage to Moffat.

“The latest suggested despoilment is a 500 MW BESS complex on flood plain farmland proposed for in-between Moffat and Beattock—contrary to Local Development and Place Plans, and barely a mile from either community.

“This poses environmental, safety, and especially economic risks, with no community engagement and no community benefit. It would generate no work and no energy—just arbitrage profits for the developer.”

Petition launched

ON the back of the convention, Moffat community councillors have launched a petition in opposition of the Barnhill Lane BESS proposal. The Conrad Energy scheme would see a 500 megawatt BESS unit allowing energy from renewables to be stored and later released when needed on a 16 acre site situated one kilometre to the east of Beattock. But due to its proximity to the town as well concerns about economic issues, practical risks and fire hazards MDCC urging residents to have their voices heard, adding: “Our landscape is being crudely exploited without any coherent consultative planning evident. Our community’s future is already damaged by this Klondike gold rush, with our rural economy expected to take all the pain and bear all the risks. “So we demand a sensitive, transparent, locally informed strategy for energy infrastructure developments. So step step up elected representatives at Dumfries and Galloway council, Holyrood and Westminster and do your real job – represent us! and until that time comes, we repeat our call for a moratorium.”