Wind turbine plans opposed at East Lothian public inquiry

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 15:32 · Archive

A public inquiry into plans for 200-metre wind turbines at Newland Hill near Gifford opened on Monday.

A public inquiry into plans for a wind farm and battery energy storage facility at Newland Hill near Gifford, East Lothian, began on Monday evening with a community hearing in Gifford village hall. The Scottish Government's Energy Consent Unit is examining the proposals by Belltown Power for 15 turbines, each 200 metres high. East Lothian Council voted in September 2024 to lodge a formal objection to the plans.

Community representatives and local residents opposed the development at the hearing, raising concerns about the impact on the landscape character of the surrounding Lammermuir Hills. One resident invoked the memory of John Muir, the East Lothian-born conservationist, saying he would be 'turning in his grave' at the plans. Council leader Norman Hampshire previously stated the county had reached its limit for wind farm development, warning that continued expansion 'will destroy' the landscape.

How it is being reported

• East Lothian wind turbine plans spark community outcry at public inquiryThe public inquiry into plans for 200-metre high wind turbines on East Lothian's historic landscape heard concerns about the visual impactEdinburgh Evening News · 13 Oct, 16:58
• Famous East Lothian campaigner would be 'turning in his grave' at 200-metre high turbine plansA public inquiry into the plans for a windfarm at Newland Hill, near Gifford, started with a community hearing in the village hall last night and will carry on through this week as both sides state their caseEdinburgh Live · 13 Oct, 15:13

In this story: East Lothian · Newland Hill · Gifford · Belltown Power · John Muir · Norman Hampshire · Scottish Government

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