Tuesday February 24th 2026
Golden eagle
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Councillors are being recommended to object to a proposed Borders wind farm amid concerns over its impact on golden eagle numbers in southern Scotland.
Fred Olsen Renewables wants to construct eight turbines with tips up to 180 metres at Scawd Law near Walkerburn.
The application, which also incorporates an energy storage system, encompasses a large area of moorland that is located on the southern edge of the Moorfoot Hills.
If consented, a 35 year operational period is sought.
When members of Scottish Borders Council’s Planning and Building Standards Committee meet on Monday, March 2, they will be recommended to make a formal objection to the plan to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit.
A report supporting the objection states: “The proposed development has been identified to have a adverse effect on golden eagles which benefit from protected species status.
“Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the development will not adversely affect golden eagles and/or incorporate suitable measures to compensate for the loss their habitats.”
The report also highlights the negative impact the application would have on the environment, adding: “The siting of a wind farm consisting of turbines up to 180m on the southern edge of the Moorfoot Hills would cause significant adverse landscape and visual impacts, particularly due to its proximity to the highly sensitive and smaller scaled Tweed Valley landscape.
“Despite each of the identified landscapes that are most affected being landscape of an upland type, the siting of up to eight 180m tall wind turbines and associated infrastructure is considered to result is a prominent form of development which would have moderate to major significant effects on the character of these landscapes.
“While wind farm developments are ultimately reversible, its 35-year operational period (added to construction time) means that the development would have adverse long-term effects on the sense of wildness and the scenic quality of the landscape.”
The applicant has said it was confident its plans were “appropriate for the local area”.
The application also comes with a “substantial” community benefit fund of £8m.
Tweet Share on Facebook
