Windfarm refused

A CONTROVERSIAL windfarm proposal near Moffat has been refused by government officials, much to the delight of residents.

The 60-turbine Scoop Hill scheme and a battery energy system proposed by Community Windpower Ltd (CWL) five kilometres south-east of Moffat went before a Scottish Government public enquiry in December 2024.

During the inquiry at Moffat Town Hall lawyers and representatives on both sides of the debate presented their evidence to a reporter for the Scottish Government’s Energy Consensus Unit (ECU).

Since then the town has been playing the waiting game for the outcome, which was published on the ECU’s website on Thursday.

According to the decision letter the main determining issues for the scheme were as follows:

n landscape and visual effects, including nighttime effects from aviation warning lighting;

n the impact on Eskdalemuir Seismological Recording Station and Array;

n net economic impact, including effects on tourism;

n the benefits of the proposed development;

n the extent to which the proposed development accords with and is supported by Scottish Government policies and guidance, and the local development plan.

The letter states: “The proposed development would provide net economic benefits and renewable energy benefits, however, on balance, these benefits would not outweigh the significant and widespread adverse landscape and visual effects of the proposed development.

“In addition, the Scottish Ministers conclude that the impact on the Eskdalemuir Seismological Recording Station and Array is also a matter that, in its own right, outweighs the benefits of the proposed development .

“The Scottish Ministers therefore conclude that, despite the many

factors in favour of the proposed Development, it is not the right development in the right place, and the proposed Development is therefore not acceptable overall.”

Reacting to the announcement a spokesperson for Moffat and District Community Council (MDCC) said: “The community council is pleased that planning process has gone through all its necessary stages to reach this conclusion given the amount of evidence that was presented at the enquiry.

“We collected a lot of opinions from the community ahead of the enquiry and it’s great to see the democratic process listen to local voices and let people contribute to achieve this community desired outcome.”

Long-serving Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell added: “This is entirely the right decision and will come as a massive relief to everyone in the community who was opposed to the application.

“The sheer scale of the proposed development would have made the turbines visible from the towns of Moffat, Beattock, Lockerbie and Lochmaben, along with many smaller villages and communities and the M74, making a lasting and negative impact on the landscape of Mid and Upper Annandale.

“My congratulations go to everyone involved in objecting to this proposal and who took part in the planning inquiry. It does go to show that when a community stands together against an unwanted application like this, it really can make a difference.”