Tuesday January 20th 2026
Abbotsford Visitor Centre, Scottish Borders
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
An array of solar panels are to be installed on the roof of a Borders visitor centre.
Planning approval has been agreed by Scottish Borders Council for 48 low-profile photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Abbotsford Visitor Centre in Melrose.
The centre sits within the grounds of the Category A listed Abbotsford House, the historic home of Sir Walter Scott.
While the proposal does not alter the listed building itself “careful design has been employed to minimise impact on the historic building’s setting”.
A report with the application stated: “The proposal supports national and local planning policy by promoting renewable energy generation on an existing, non-listed building while safeguarding the heritage significance of Abbotsford House and its designed landscape.
“The development is consistent with the principles of supporting Scotland’s transition to low-carbon and renewable energy, protecting the setting and character of listed buildings and their landscapes and ensuring that renewable interventions are proportionate, reversible, and sensitive to visual and heritage impacts.
“The proposed works have been carefully designed to deliver renewable energy benefits for the Visitor Centre while safeguarding the visual and heritage significance of the Category A listed Abbotsford estate.
“No alterations are proposed to the listed building itself, and the impact on its setting is minimal.”
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