The Future of our Valley is under threat ...
Latest NEWS ... We continue to hit the headlines ...
Latest News
2nd July 2026
The Borthwickwater Landscape Conservation Group has hit the news headlines again with our Co-Chair Chris Houston being quoted extensively in the news on the “aggressive developer in national security wind farm clash”. CWP Energy have filed for a judicial review in the Court of Sessions challenging the planning refusal of its proposed 60-turbine Scoop Hill development, whose site lies within the safeguarding zone for the Eskdalemuir Seismic monitoring array, Invenergy’s Mid Hill site also lies within the safeguarding zone, so if the judicial review proceeds, the outcome could affect the decision on Mid Hill. The BLCG continues to actively campaign to stop the Mid Hill wind farm being built so close to our nuclear seismic array.
To read the article –
Consultation Update
The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) consultation on the safeguarding of the array was due to close on May 15th. It has now been delayed until July 17th .The proposal is for the no-build zone from 10-15 km radius around the array. Mid Hill turbines are proposed on the 15km border to 17 km from the array. The MoD have stated that this close would be ”challenging”.
Raeshaw Farms Case and what it means for Mid Hill
Good news. Raeshaw Farms Estate, a 9,000 acre estate near Stow, successfully overturned the Scottish Government’s planning consent in a landmark decision at the Court of Sessions. The court ruled that the reporter made a “material error” by failing to consider whether the wind farm and its grid connection constituted a single project, because the wind farm could not function without a connection, they should have been assessed together. The Raeshaw ruling has thrown a spanner in the works for many developers by setting this precedent including Mid Hill which has not received a connection offer to date.
Press coverage - 23rd January 2026
Brilliant!
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.
NEW ARTICLE in the Scotsman today, 22nd Jan 2026
Ministry of Defence objects to wind farm over national security concerns
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/
LATEST NEWS - 1st Dec 2025
Mid Hill Wind Farm officially registered with the Energy Consent Unit
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
Friday 13th June 2025
Latest News
Have a look at the latest article in the Hawick News, about Invenergy's appeal for the MetMast which was TURNED DOWN in March of this year.
14th May 2025 - New proposed Layout from Invenergy
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
Invenergy’s 90-metre anemometer turned down by Scottish Borders Council Planning Committee- 31st Mar
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