Press coverage - 23rd January 2026

Yesterday, after a campaign to gain press coverage, we had a very successul day with coverage of the MOD objections in several National Publications, the ITV NEWS page, and local radio.

Articles were published in (amongst others)

The Scotsman

The Herald

The Independant

ITV News (ITV-X)

The Hawick News (today Friday)

and several other local publications Nationwide.

Here's a link to one of them ... https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scotsman.com%2Fhays-way%2Fministry-of-defence-objects-to-borders-wind-farm-over-national-security-concerns-5484922&data=05%7C02%7C%7C896625b3087445f2e59808de5a632b98%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639047579128547004%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pX95EWD0N8VDVHW5%2BT3csqglgCsydKCEpdxGSO1LBg8%3D&reserved=0

 The Ministry of Defence has lodged an objection to plans for a wind farm in the Borders 

Click here to read the article in full ... https://www.thenational.scot/news/25786666.ministry-defence-objects-borders-wind-farm-national-security/

 Invenergy submitted their application to the Energy Consent Unit on November 27th 2025. The ECU will soon issue a public notice which usually gives 28 days’ notice period for public representations. 

 The  proposal is for a  wind farm comprising of up to 13 turbines, with a  tip height of up to 200m, an energy storage system and associated  ancillary infrastructure including foundations, crane hardstandings,  substation and control building.

The  Borthwickwater Landscape Conservation Group will be strongly and  actively opposing the application which will ruin our beautiful  landscape and decimate our wildlife.

Here is a link to the proposal:- https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationDetails.aspx?cr=ECU00005192

 We received a new proposed layout this week from Invenergy, who have reduced the number of turbines from 32 to 27.  Although this is welcome, it is still 27 too many and the fight continues.

There are also public meetings planned as shown below ... 

● Tuesday 20th May 2025, 11am to 2pm: Hawick Town Hall, Cross Wynd, Hawick, TD9 9EF

● Tuesday 20th May 2025, 4pm to 8pm: Forman Memorial Hall, Roberton, TD9 7LX

● Wednesday 21st May 2025, 10am to 2pm: Teviothead Village Hall, Teviothead, TD9 0LQ

 This morning, 31st March, the Planning Committee of the  Scottish Borders Council rejected the application from Invenergy for a  90-metre mast at Broadlea Loch. The mast was to determine wind speeds  for US Company Invenergy’s proposed Mid Hill wind farm, which comprises  of 33 turbines, 200-metre-high. The Borthwickwater Landscape  Conservation Group objected to the application and was represented by Dr  Chris Ford who eloquently pointed out that there was no need for this  mast for  a multitude of factors, including the Ministry of Defence  objecting to every windfarm within the 50km exclusion zone as the “noise  budget” is full.. Councillor for the Hawick and Hermitage ward,  Watson  McAteer also spoke up on behalf of the valley residents, objecting to  the mast. The Borthwicksater Landscape Conservation Group wishes to  thank the councillors who voted against the mast and to everyone who  contacted their councillor objecting to the mast. We are delighted that  local voices were heard, and that the wildlife at Broadlea Loch will no  longer be endangered.  

More info here ... https://www.midlothianview.com/news/applause-in-borders-council-chamber-as-wind-farm-related-bid-refused