A PROPOSED wind farm in the Scottish borders has cut the number of potential turbines by more than a quarter after a 12-month consulting phase.
EDF Renewables has confirmed that the proposed wind farm at Liddesdale will have 21 fewer turbines after conducting a 12-month consultation with locals.
The plan initially proposed 80 wind turbines at the development, but EDF Renewables is now proposing 59 instead as they enter a second phase of public consultation.
The energy firm said it came to the decision to cut 21 turbines after taking on board the local community’s views.
Liddesdale wind farm is proposed to be constructed in an area within Wauchope Forest and Newcastleton Forest and developers aim for the project to have a 400MW capacity.
Andrew Bennett, principal development manager at EDF Renewables UK, has said the energy firm are upholding their promise to the local communities by taking on board their feedback.
He said: “The team behind Liddesdale wind farm has been encouraged at the level of engagement from local people as we our plans for the site have developed.
“As we promised at the outset of this project, close community engagement is a major part of our approach in developing this proposal and this will continue going forward.
“The second round of community engagement events marks an important milestone in the project and we encourage anyone who would like to learn about the revisions we have made to our original plans to come along and see and hear for themselves how we have taken into account the feedback that we have received to date from local people.
“As well as the team being present at these events, we also have plans to attend the Holm show and the Border Union Show in the summer to seek further feedback. There will also be a virtual exhibition on our website for people to view and provide comment in their own time.
“We value the close and positive engagement we’ve had to date with the local communities near to the site and we are hopeful to develop a project that is appropriate to the local area as well as helping Scotland to generate more renewable energy and achieve our net zero targets.”
The areas which were consulted in the first phase were Newcastleton, Chesters, Southdean, Hobkirk, Bonchester Bridge, Kielder, Upper Liddesdale and Hermitage.
There are plans for a second consultation phase by EDF Renewables for the local communities.
