Councilk currently investigating allegations

FALLAGO Rig wind farm developers appear to be optimistic of a positive outcome to the re-opened public inquiry into their planning application and have started pre-investigation work on site.

Scottish Borders Council's planning department confirmed that they are "currently investigating allegations in respect to works commencing in advance of a determination in relation to the Fallago Rig Windfarm", local people describing how the heavy plant, toilets etc that had been on the site suddenly disappeared like 'Brigadoon'.

Ian McMenemy, of Halogen Communication, speaking on behalf of developers, North British Windpower, said this week: "The only work carried out was a topographical and geotechnical survey which was carried out by BAM Ritchie, consulting engineers, between September 21 and October 1.

"They excavated burrow pits and bore holes to establish the level of ground before hitting bedrock.

"These are pre-investigations works which are allowed.

"Scottish Power, who have a road through the site, were doing improvement work to the track at the same time and there was big machinery on site belonging to their contractors Balfour Beatty."

Local residents are sceptical about the level of work done, claiming that hundreds of tonnes of stone have been extracted, tracks have been developed, the Dye water forded and new bases for bridges over the Dye have been constructed.

Mark Rowley of Cranshaws, Ellemford and Longformacus Community Council said: "Scottish Ministers recently announced the welcome re-opening of a Public Inquiry into the 48 turbine wind farm at Fallago Rig. It thus came as something of a surprise, when walking in the Lammermuir Hills, to find construction had, apparently, started!

"Contractor's signage littered the site and borrow pits have been excavated with hundreds of tonnes of stone dug out of a site officially designated an Area of Great Landscape Value.

"Huge stone platforms have been constructed at various points along the Dye Water, perhaps to support the bridges that would support the delivery of the 48 huge turbines?

"New fords have been driven through the Dye.

"This may, or may not, be a breach of the various planning regulations but, with all of this construction effort taking place, it poses one key question? Do developers North British Windpower Limited, and landowner the Roxburghe Estates, know something that we don't?"

Planning permission for the 48 turbine wind farm was refused by Scottish Borders Council, and Scottish Ministers ordered a public inquiry, which took place in February last year.

During the inquiry the Ministry of Defence expressed concern about the potential impact it would have on their air defence radar.

The Reporter who heard the evidence at the inquiry gave her findings to Scottish Ministers in August that year but the findings were not made public and earlier this year it transpired that Scottish Ministers, developers and the Ministry of Defence had been involved in further discussions after the public inquiry.

After much public criticism of these secret discussions by local residents and both Scottish Borders Council and East Lothian Council the Scottish Government announced last month that the public inquiry would be re-opened but "should be restricted to consider only the issue of potential impact on the Brizlee Wood Air Defence Radar and the new evidence submitted by the Ministry of Defence in this respect".