Plans for solar park near Lauder unveiled

An application from Green Energy UK Direct Ltd has been lodged with Scottish Borders Council to construct the park on land at Newmills Farm near Lauder.

The site has been identified as having good potential for PV generation due to its location and excellent irradiation levels.

The purpose of the development is to provide a large-scale renewable energy source that will be connected to the National Grid. The application claims that the project will generate renewable energy from natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The proposed installation is a 5MW PV solar farm, and would cover approximately 27 acres.

The site would include inverter housings, CCTV, security fencing, soft landscaping, access tracks, a substation and ancillary works.

There are not expected to be any long-term negative environmental impacts, but if permission is granted there may be increased traffic and construction noise in the surrounding area for 12 weeks while the construction is ongoing.

If constructed, the developer says the solar park would be in place for 25 years. A similar application from the same company has also been made with regard to land near Kelso.

Green Energy UK Direct operates from Manchester and is one of Britain’s leading renewable energy companies.