Council objection sends wind farm plan to public inquiry

A wind farm project in the Borders will be taken to a public inquiry after councillors unanimously agreed to object to the plans.

Developers want to build seven turbines in the Oliver Forest scheme near to Tweedsmuir.

A report to Scottish Borders Council's planning committee said the "degree of demonstrable harm" outweighed its economic and environmental benefits.

Councillors opposed the project - triggering an inquiry - but the final decision on whether the scheme can proceed will lie with the Scottish government.

The site earmarked for the development is about eight miles (12.5km) south of Broughton and 12 miles (19km) north of Moffat.

It would consist of seven turbines up to 650ft (200m) in height to their blade tip.

A potential location for a battery energy storage system has also been included on the site.

However, the council decided to oppose the plans due to the adverse impact it would have on the nearby village of Tweedsmuir.

The project has been scaled back and developers said they believed that balanced its "substantial renewable energy contribution" while addressing local feedback.

They said it could provide "clean green energy" for more than 46,500 homes.