Meeting to hear concerns over plans for solar farm and battery storage facility 'bigger than Lauder' on Southern Upland Way

It's feared plans for a new cross-border electricity connection could lead to the industrialisation of the countryside around Lauder.

As well as concerns over the appearance of the 60-metre high pylons, a new substation, and upgraded power lines will also allow for more renewable energy developments in some of the Royal Burgh's most scenic landscapes.

Consultation is currently underway for one such proposal by ABO Energy which, if approved, could see a new solar farm and battery storage facility - "bigger than the town itself" - built along both sides of the Southern Upland Way.

Developers say "mitigation measures will be implemented to ensure a positive visitor experience is retained along the route".

But concerns are being raised over the impact the proposed Woodheads Energy Park could have on local tourism, wildlife and house prices in the area, ahead of a meeting in Blainslie Village Hall tomorrow (Saturday, April 5th) at 3pm.

Local resident Rory Steel told Greatest Hits Radio: "There are multiple developments in the pipeline in the area. There really is a mass industrialisation of Lauderdale happening over the next few years if these big energy companies get their way.

"We have a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) down there, which many of these planning documents haven't actually acknowledged and recognised are there.

"The Southern Upland Way comes right past me here, and all the way up into the horizon there - it's a wonderful walking route for so many people who come to explore the Borders; and the impact on the visitor economy of these developments is another reason for them not to be appearing here."

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It's claimed the development, as it stands, would provide enough electricity to power 35,000 homes and save 48,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from polluting the atmosphere every year.

ABO Energy has already asked the public for its views on the energy park plans at events in Blainslie and Lauder, and is planning more in June; in addition to SP Energy Networks own consultation over the preferred route for its Cross Border Connection.

But concerns have been raised that not everyone locally has been made aware of the plans.

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Mr Steel said: "We all recognise that climate change needs to be tackled and renewable energy has an important part to play in that, but the way in which... communities are being run roughshod over... is nothing short of scandalous.

"So the meeting in the village hall on Saturday is really to try to bring some of this to the attention of the local community, get them to understand exactly what is happening on our doorstep, and for them to make decisions on what is right for them.

"It may be that they're entirely supportive of it, in which case that's entirely their prerogative, but they need to be armed with the proper facts for them to make those decisions correctly."

He added: "The route of the substation is down a C-class road and the only way to get to that is through the Thirlestane Drive housing estate in Lauder. And the numbers of vehicles and heavy goods that are going to be coming through that housing estate to get to Threepwood and the solar park development is frightening.

"It's going to be seven years of construction traffic that's going to disrupt lives and going to have a big toll on people's physical and mental wellbeing, from the stresses and strains and noise pollution and the dust that comes with that level of construction traffic."

The developers say they were delighted with the attendance at their recent community consultation events at Blainslie and Lauder.

Caelan McNickle, project manager for Woodheads Energy Park proposal, said: "We are reflecting on the feedback we received, and look forward to returning to meet with local people again with updated proposals in due course. "

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