Friday June 5th 2026
Photo by Seth
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Concern has been expressed that plans for a towering windfarm in Lauderdale will get the green light, despite opposition from both Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
SBC has twice rejected the controversial Glenburnie wind farm, describing it as “a significantly adverse and substantial wind farm” and citing its proximity to nationally important archaeological sites.
HES is also opposed to the wind farm, stating that the developer has downplayed the impact on the site of three Iron Age hill forts.
The proposal originally consisted of 19 turbines and was called the Longcroft wind farm.
The Glenburnie development would now have twelve turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 220 metres (721 ft), the tallest in Scotland, which HES says would “significantly undermine the ability to understand, appreciate and experience important aspects of Longcroft, Addinston and Glenburnie forts, all scheduled ancient monuments”.
The plans were resubmitted by developer TAG Energy, despite previous objections from HES because of the archaeological importance of the location. These revised plans have also been rejected by SBC.
The national heritage watchdog’s consultation response further states that the “intrusive and dominant” windfarm development would “intrude into the quiet, rural character of the surrounding landscape”.
HES also raised concerns about the potential for damage to invaluable pre-historic sites during construction of the windfarm.
Rory Steel, chair of Lauderdale Preservation Group, said: “The Lammermuirs are a defining part of our region’s natural, cultural, and historic heritage. Allowing this development to be built would be devastating.
“Historians, walkers and visitors from all over Europe come here to appreciate its unspoilt landscapes and to understand more about pre-historic life in this region.”
The Lammermuir Hills are of exceptional archaeological and historic significance, home to over 400 Iron Age hill forts, considered to be the highest density of such ancient fortifications anywhere in Europe.
Construction of Glenburnie would have a significant impact on these sites and would irrevocably alter the landscape, according to local residents.
The surrounding uplands are home to Roman and Iron Age sites, including forts and settlements at Glenburnie, Longcroft, Tollishill, Burncastle, and Dabs Head.
The potential for unexcavated or undocumented archaeology has triggered renewed calls for heritage protections to be taken as seriously as environmental ones.
Mr Steel added: “This ancient heritage is irreplaceable. If Glenburnie goes ahead, it would be the nail in the coffin for this valley and its internationally renowned history and heritage.”
The Scottish Borders has become a go-to area for windfarms, with over 800 turbines already operating. There are also two projects under construction and a further 21 at various stages within the planning system.
Within 21 miles of the proposed location, there are 461 turbines over 70m in height with a further 97 turbines over 150m tall in the planning system.
In the immediate vicinity of Lauder are: Toddleburn Wind Farm, with 12 turbines, 125m in height; Dun Law Wind Farm, with 26 turbines of 40 metres; Fallago Rig Wind Farm, with 48 turbines, between 110 and 125m tall and Crystal Rig Wind Farm – 85 turbines, 149 to 200 metres in height.
The Glenburnie wind farm application may now be subject to a Public Inquiry. The Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) has previously overruled objections from local authorities to grant permission for windfarms in the Scottish Borders.
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