Hoprigshiels windfarm proposal

On 6 July, I reported that the recent meeting of the community council had heard concerns from residents in and around Oldhamstocks about a proposal by Berwickshire Housing Association to build a windfarm at Hoprigshiels.  Chairman Chris Bruce had arranged a limited opinion survey that had produced inconclusive results.  Several local residents offered to assist in carrying out a more extensive survey, and I can now report the results of this.  A survey form was distributed locally and people were invited to complete and return the form, indicating their views.

The numbers of indivdual respondents expressing opinions were:-

Strongly opposed                        60

Tend to oppose                             3

Neither support nor oppose     15

Tend to support                           8

Strongly support                        24

This majority of respondents tending to oppose or strongly opposing has now been reflected in a letter sent by the Chairman on behalf of the community council to the Planning Department of Scottish Borders Council expressing, on behalf of the local community, our opposition to this proposal.