Harsh wind

I heartily agree with Alan Black (Letters, 4 June) about the environmental damage done by wind farms and call for a halt to any more developments. The government must start listening to the public and stop overruling local democratic decisions.

This week, Scottish Borders Council, on the recommendation of its planning department, unanimously objected to a wind farm alongside the tourist route from Edinburgh to Peebles.

In a democracy how can this not be the end of the road for the developer? In this new order this government has taken over local democracy and a public inquiry will now be triggered and a decision made by government.

Public inquiries cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and it seems the whole thing is a game with a circus going round the country, paid for by tax payers and local concerned residents.

The principal lawyer for the wind industry, Marcus Trinick, who represents the industry at many planning inquiries, gave an interview for a planning magazine in 2008.

At that time, having attended about 50 public inquiries, he was pleased there were 170 turbines in the UK. The article said: “In his view there is now only enough space in England for around three or four more large onshore wind farms, although he predicts that more will be built in Wales and a couple in Scotland.”

Imagine what has been built since in Scotland: 2,315 turbines at the last count with a further 450 under construction.

Democracy and common sense has been overtaken by ignorance and greed.

Celia Hobbs

Peebles Road

Penicuik