Third battery storage plan approved near village

A third battery energy storage system (BESS) development has been approved near a small village in the Borders.

The local community council had opposed the latest scheme close to the Eccles substation as it argued that two already approved in the area were sufficient.

However, the Scottish government has concluded that the latest project can proceed.

Residents of nearby Leitholm have said they fear the heart will be ripped out of the local community if all the battery developments proposed for the area go ahead.

The latest development covers nearly seven hectares (17 acres) next to the substation about a mile-and-a-half (2.5km) from the village.

More than 200 battery units are planned along with compounds, buildings and parking.

In its determination, the Scottish government reporter describes the area as being located in "prime agricultural land".

The local Leitholm, Eccles and Birgham community council said it believed that grid stability at the substation was "adequately provided for" by two other developments which have already been approved.

It argued that meant the proposed scheme would not constitute "essential infrastructure".

The Scottish government concluded that the project could support the "resilience of the electricity network" in the area.

It said it would help with "more efficient use of renewable energy generation in the electricity system" and help cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"On balance, it is considered that the impacts of the proposed development are acceptable in the context of its benefits, and that the development is supported by relevant planning and energy policies," it concluded.