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Ministry of Defence objects to plans for wind farm in the Scottish Borders
- The Ministry of Defence lodged a formal objection to the Mid Hill development, citing national security and defence aviation concerns, while Invenergy applied to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit for 13 turbines up to 200 metres plus an energy storage facility southwest of Hawick.
- The site lies within the safeguarding zone of the Eskdalemuir seismic monitoring array, and the Ministry of Defence says the local 'seismic noise budget' is exhausted, meaning no seismic noise capacity is available.
- In aviation terms, the site sits inside a tactical training and low‑flying area where military aircraft may operate as low as 100 feet, and the MoD warned the 13 turbines could pose a 'hazard' and 'desensitise' radar systems, affecting air traffic control.
- Local community groups including the Borthwickwater Landscape Conservation Group reacted that the Borders is inundated with wind plans, while Invenergy and planners argued mitigation would minimise impacts and Xi Engineering studies vibration effects.
- Under current planning controls, wind turbines face a 10 km exclusion and a 50 km safeguarding zone, the MoD said turbines over 150m must meet lighting standards and the Mid Hill development would generate around 94MW, opening in 2034.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 42%
C 50%
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