Local residents are being invited to view and comment on refined plans, including a reduction in turbine numbers, for Liddesdale wind farm development following extensive consultation over the last 12 months.
EDF Renewables UK, one of country’s leading renewable energy developers, first presented the 80-turbine proposal to communities last June, with comprehensive and ongoing engagement integral to the project, including attendance at community council meetings, public exhibitions, one-to-one meetings and exhibiting at agricultural shows in the area.
Now, following refinement of the plans and taking the local community’s views on board, EDF Renewables UK is hosting a second round of exhibitions to present the updated proposals to residents in the communities around the site, including those in and near Newcastleton, Chesters, Southdean, Hobkirk, Bonchester Bridge, Kielder, Upper Liddesdale and Hermitage.
Liddesdale wind farm is being proposed for an area within Wauchope Forest and Newcastleton Forest and is 400MW in capacity. As a direct result of the feedback received from this engagement, as well as results from a variety of surveys undertaken at the site, EDF Renewables UK is seeking further feedback on the latest designs, which includes reducing the wind turbine numbers on the site from 80 to 59.
Speaking in advance of these exhibitions, Andrew Bennett, Principal Development Manager at EDF Renewables UK, said: “The team behind Liddesdale wind farm has been encouraged at the level of engagement from local people as we our plans for the site have developed. As we promised at the outset of this project, close community engagement is a major part of our approach in developing this proposal and this will continue going forward.
Public exhibitions will take place as follows:
Kielder Primary School, Thursday 13 June, 5pm to 8pm
Newcastleton Village Hall, Tuesday 18 June, 3pm to 7pm
Southdean Village Hall, Wednesday 19 June, 3pm to 7pm
“The second round of community engagement events marks an important milestone in the project and we encourage anyone who would like to learn about the revisions we have made to our original plans to come along and see and hear for themselves how we have taken into account the feedback that we have received to date from local people.
“As well as the team being present at these events, we also have plans to attend the Holm show and the Border Union Show in the summer to seek further feedback. There will also be a virtual exhibition on our website for people to view and provide comment in their own time.
“We value the close and positive engagement we’ve had to date with the local communities near to the site and we are hopeful to develop a project that is appropriate to the local area as well as helping Scotland to generate more renewable energy and achieve our net zero targets.”
