E Power, the Irish company behind the Ditcher Law application, has now submitted an application for a meteorological mast to measure wind speeds at the site.
The application is sparse and contains no environmental assessment or visualisations. The developer clearly assumes consent will be granted on this basis.
In order to comment you must register with Scottish Borders Council planning portal first. Closing date for comments is Friday 20th March 2026.
Use the reference number 26/00034/FUL in the Simple Search menu.
Below are some pointers for what you might want to put in your objection, but your own words are the best. —>
I object to the application 26/00034/FUL for a meteorological mast at Headshaw Hill for the following reasons:
The application is for a large dominant structure inside the Lammermuir Hills Special Landscape Area as designated by the Scottish Borders Council Local Development Plan. For this reason alone, the application should be refused. There are also other reasons to reject it.
No traffic plan is included in the application and no information on potential disruption to local roads.
The application contains insufficient information to assess the visual impact. A wire frame from key local view points should be included in the application. The structure would have an impact on the landscape and that needs to be evaluated before any decision can be made.
The application contains no survey of nearby archaeological, cultural or historic sites. It is not possible to ascertain the impact on such sites from this application.
As well as the absence of a stand-alone impact assessment, the cumulative impact of yet another tall metal structure in a prominent rural landscape should be considered. It is up to the applicant to include this in their paperwork, but the 100 metre mast would be immediately adjacent to three windfarms and another met mast. Numerous large metal structures are in application across a 12 mile arc around Lauderdale.
Contrary to NPF4 policy 2, no carbon life cycle assessment is included with the application. Given the Climate Emergency, it is essential to fully investigate the potential carbon emissions created by any development.
As a large object, held up by wires spread across five acres, the application would be contrary to NPF4 policy 4 and have a negative impact on the natural environment. This upland area is frequented by several red-list or protected bird species. It would disrupt normal movement patterns for birds in the area. The application should include a species impact assessment and information on mitigation measures
According to NPF4 policy 3, all developments should enhance biodiversity. The application contains no information on biodiversity enhancement. Nor does the application enhance or extend woodland cover, as per NPF4 policy 6
Contrary to NPF4 policy 5 the application contains no information on soils, how anchors and guys would be secured or the impact on soils. No information about the presence of peat is included.
Contrary to several parts of NPF4, the application provides no benefit to the local rural economy. Including policies 11c & 29