Borders council blocks plans for 'unacceptable' Brunta Hill wind farm

Council officials were concerned about the impact on local houses

A proposed wind farm on Brunta Hill near Westruther has been blocked by Scottish Borders Council.

Developer PNE Wind UK Ltd had originally planned 10 turbines on the Berwickshire site.

It subsequently scaled this back to eight turbines of a lower height than first proposed.

Councillors accepted the view of their officials that the plan should be rejected because of its "significant and unacceptable" impact.

They were concerned about the landscape character of the surrounding area and an adverse effect on a section of the Southern Upland Way.

Their recommendations also suggested that the development would have "an overbearing and dominant impact" on the amenity of nearby houses.