Jedburgh Town Hall to host ​Borders energy convention

The convention on Saturday at Jedburgh Town Hall from 2-4pm, will bring together community councils, campaign groups and elected representatives to challenge the unchecked rollout of large-scale energy infrastructure in the absence of a coherent national plan.

The Borders Convention, following on from two Highland Conventions, will call for; a pan-Scotland Planning Inquiry Commission to examine cumulative impacts, a pause on major energy applications until a clear national energy policy and full economic impact assessment are in place and meaningful protection of local democracy and community consultation.

If endorsed, Borders representatives will work to unite with Highland and Aberdeenshire Conventions to escalate these demands to national level.

Councillor Leah Douglas said: Councillor Douglas for Selkirkshire, said: “People across the Borders are reaching a breaking point.

"Communities are being asked to absorb wave after wave of major energy infrastructure with no clear national strategy, no proper assessment of cumulative impact and no meaningful say in decisions that will permanently alter their landscapes and lives.”

“The prospect of vast pylons cutting through treasured valleys such as Ettrick and Yarrow is not just upsetting, it is unacceptable.

"This Convention is about standing up for our communities and drawing a clear line in the sand.”

Numerous community councils and campaign groups across the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian and South Lanarkshire have already committed to attend.

The Convention will hear a unified statement, approved by the Highland Conventions, calling for urgent national reform of how major energy infrastructure is planned and approved.

Cllr Douglas added: “This is not a one-off meeting or a symbolic gesture. It is a sustained, determined campaign to ensure our communities are no longer ignored.

"The message from the Borders is clear: our landscapes, our democracy and our community’s matter.”