Go-ahead for new Borders ‘hybrid energy park’ in Duns

Go-ahead has been given for construction and operation of a solar photo-voltaic generating station and ancillary infrastructure on land north of Howpark Farmhouse at Grantshouse in Duns.

Construction and operation of the generating station and ancillary infrastructure will maximise the grid connection capacity of the constructed Howpark Wind Farm, substation infrastructure and existing access tracks; creating a ‘hybrid energy park’.

The development is to be centred on the north-facing slopes of Bell Hill, to the west of High View Caravan Park (formerly known as Drone Hill Caravan Park).

The PV array would have an installed capacity of up to 15MW and would extend across an area of around 16 hectares of the 52 hectare application site.

It is to provide enough electricity to offset the average annual consumption of around 4,300 homes and have an operational life of 40 years.

The applicant is Glasgow-based Eurowind Energy Limited.

In his report approving the application, Paul Duncan, SBC’s assistant planning officer, says: “Renewable energy developments can make an important contribution to the economy.

“Net economic impact is a material planning consideration, with local and community socio-economic benefits including employment, associated business and supply chain opportunities.

“Economic dis-benefits associated with the development would include potential temporary disruption during construction and decommissioning and impacts to tourism.

“The level of adverse landscape and visual impact identified should not be significantly harmful to the local tourist economy.

“The proposed development is considered compatible with neighbouring land uses, which are primarily agricultural.

“The development would not be in fundamental conflict with High View Caravan Park or dwelling houses within the wider surrounding area, subject to the assessment of impacts such as visual impact, glint and glare, and noise.”