Lammermuir Hills solar farm gets the all-clear

The panels will be put up near to the wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills area in Berwickshire

The Scottish government has given the go-ahead to a large solar park proposed for the Lammermuir Hills in Berwickshire.

Fred Olsen Renewables wants to put up about 55,000 panels near the Crystal Rig wind farm - about four miles (6km) from the village of Cranshaws.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) planning committee agreed earlier this year not to oppose the scheme in the Lammermuir Hills Special Landscape Area.

The development - which extends into East Lothian - had no objections from any of its statutory consultees.

SBC heard earlier this year that the panels would be "well contained" in their area.

The Scottish government determination said it had "balanced all relevant considerations".

"On balance, it is considered that the impacts of the proposed development are acceptable in the context of its benefits, and that the development is supported by relevant planning and energy policies," it said.

The plans contained suitable measures to mitigate any environmental impacts, the ruling added.

Developers have estimated the project could meet the energy needs of about 10,000 homes.