The Planning and Building Standards Committee met on Monday, 2nd March 2026, to consider a significant wind farm application and a draft conservation area management plan. The committee resolved to object to the proposed Scawd Law Wind Farm due to concerns over landscape and visual impacts, and the potential adverse effects on golden eagles. They also approved the draft Hawick Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan for public consultation.

Scawd Law Wind Farm Application

The committee considered the application for the Scawd Law Wind Farm, proposed by Fred Olsen Renewables Ltd, which includes up to 8 turbines up to 180m in height, a battery energy storage system, and associated infrastructure on land north and east of Holylee, Walkerburn.

Decision: The Council indicated to the Energy Consents Unit that it objects to the proposed development for the following reasons:

• Landscape and Visual Impact: The proposed development was deemed contrary to National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Policies 4d) and 11e) ii, and Scottish Borders Local Development Plan (LDP) Policies EP5 and ED9. The siting and scale of the proposal were considered visually prominent and incongruous on the northern skyline of the Tweed Valley, adversely affecting the landscape setting, integrity, and outward views of the Tweed Valley, Tweedsmuir Uplands, and the Tweed, Ettrick and Yarrow Confluences Special Landscape Areas (SLAs). These impacts would be experienced from popular hill summits and walking/cycling routes, including the Southern Upland Way. The committee concluded that these adverse impacts were not clearly outweighed by the contribution the development would make towards renewable energy generation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.
• Detrimental Impact on Landscape Character: The development was also considered contrary to NPF4 Policy 11e) ii and LDP Policy ED9, as the scale, siting, and layout would detract from the wild character of the Moorfoot Hills and the scenic quality of the Southern Uplands and Upland Valley landscapes. Again, these adverse impacts were not outweighed by the development's contribution to renewable energy targets.
• Impact on Golden Eagles: The proposal was found to be contrary to NPF4 Policies 3b), 4f), and 11e) ix, and LDP Policies EP1 and EP3. Insufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that the development would not adversely affect golden eagles or their territories, or whether any resultant loss of golden eagle habitats could be adequately compensated.

Note to Energy Consents Unit: The Council drew the attention of the Energy Consents Unit to the recent Court of Session decision in the Wull Muir case, highlighting the need to consider the environmental implications of grid connections alongside the wind farm proposal itself.

Hawick Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

The committee considered a report by the Director of Corporate Governance seeking approval of the draft Hawick Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (CAA & MP) for public consultation. This plan aims to identify the special architectural and historic interest of the Hawick Conservation Area and provide guidance on its management.

Decision: The committee agreed to:

• Approve the draft Hawick CAA & MP for public consultation as a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) document to the Scottish Borders Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2).
• Agree that the public consultation should run for a period of 12 weeks.
• Authorise the Chief Planning Officer to make any minor editorial or presentational changes to the consultation draft prior to publication and to undertake the proposed consultation and engagement activities.
• Note that a further report would be presented to the committee following the consultation, summarising responses, proposing amendments, and seeking approval to adopt the Hawick CAA & MP as SPG.

Members noted that advice on householder development, including solar panels and replacement windows, was available on the Scottish Borders Council website, with links to relevant Scottish Government orders. Work was also underway on providing advice for homeowners regarding renewable energy.

Appeals and Reviews

The committee noted the contents of a briefing note detailing appeals and local reviews.

Decisions Noted:

• Review Requests Received: Five review requests were noted, relating to proposed dwellinghouses in Gordon, Carfraemill, West Linton, and Greenlaw, and a coffee stop at Carter Bar Lay-By on the A68.
• Review Determined: The decision of the Appointed Officer was upheld and varied for the refusal of a dwellinghouse at Land South of East View Hutton (25/00573/PPP).
• Reviews Outstanding: Four reviews remained outstanding for sites at Kingsmeadows House (Peebles), Land West of Laundry Cottage (Kelso), Disused Agricultural Buildings (Town O Rule Farmhouse, Bonchester Bridge), and Outbuilding and Land North West of Wakefield Baddinsgill.

The meeting concluded at 11:28 am.