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Teries told to speak up over wind farm plans
This letter by Councillor Sandy Aitchison of The Borders Party was published in the Hawick News on 19 February 2010:
“Wind farms are always a thorny issue, and the proposal for one on Hawick Common Land will be more controversial than most (Hawick News p1 12 February). I don’t pretend to know at this stage whether it should go ahead or not. But the final decision must take into account the economic benefits and costs of the development. Too often the argument about industrial development is portrayed as one of commercial realism versus whimsical sentiment.
In fact developments like wind farms have a very real economic impact in terms of their effect on neighbouring property prices, the quality of life, the value people place on local cultural amenity and any effect on the area’s ability to attract tourists and new residents. The beauty of Hawick and its surrounding landscape is central to its economic prospects.
The trick is to weigh this in the balance against any net economic advantages of the wind farm as part of the decision making process. To do so is difficult, though economists have developed methods to measure such ‘externalities’. These include getting a proper understanding of how local people value their surroundings and would react to major alterations to them.
The Borders Party was founded on the principle of local accountability. Opinion on windfarms is sharply divided, and it is often the loudest voice that attracts most attention. Whatever the final decision on this project, we must ensure that the people of Hawick have their say - let’s hear your views!”