Scottish Borders Council approves Stirches Renewable Energy Park

We welcome Scottish Borders Council’s decision to raise no objection to Stirches Renewable Energy Park, marking an important step forward for the project as it continues through the consultation process.

The planning authority’s decision follows an overwhelmingly positive response from statutory consultees, including SEPA, Transport Scotland and NatureScot.

Stirches Renewable Energy Park has been developed through extensive technical assessment and robust consultation with the local community, the Council and other stakeholders. Throughout the process, we have communicated transparently, listened carefully, and refined the project in response to feedback.

The Scottish Borders Council Planning and Building Standards Committee discussed the proposal and its supporting documents in detail, including the site layout plan, mitigation proposal and theoretical visibility. Councillors weighed the potential impacts against the wider benefits before voting to support the recommendation.

Chris Peachey, Lead Planner for Stirches Renewable Energy Park, said: “This is a responsibly developed, landscape-led solar and battery storage proposal that will make a meaningful contribution to Scotland’s low-carbon future. We are pleased the planning committee has recognised its merits, bringing us one step closer to delivering clean energy, biodiversity gains and employment opportunities to the local community and wider area.”

Subject to approval by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU), Stirches Renewable Energy Park will deliver clean, renewable energy alongside battery storage, supporting Scotland and the UK’s net-zero and energy security ambitions.

We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with and contributed to the project to date, and Scottish Borders Council for its support of the proposal.

As we await the final decision, we look forward to continuing to engage openly and constructively with the Hawick community and other stakeholders.

Do get in touch here if you have any questions about the development.