Legal Challenge Over Wind Farm Refusal
A legal challenge has been initiated against the Scottish government's refusal of a wind farm project that developers claimed would have represented a £1bn investment.
CWP Energy proposes to construct 60 turbines, each up to 250m (820ft) tall, at Scoop Hill, located a few miles southeast of Moffat.
Following a public inquiry, the Scottish government determined that the project was "not the right development in the right place" and denied consent in February.
Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC), which had opposed the scheme, confirmed it has now been notified of a legal challenge to that decision.
The initial plans, submitted in 2020, included 75 turbines but were reduced due to concerns regarding impacts on cultural heritage, golden eagles, and dark skies.
Despite these adjustments, DGC lodged an objection—contrary to the advice of its planning officers—which led to the public inquiry.
The Scottish government ultimately ruled that although the wind farm would provide economic and renewable energy benefits, these did not outweigh the "significant and widespread adverse landscape and visual effects".
The refusal was welcomed by MP David Mundell, who described it as a "massive relief" for the area.
He said the "sheer scale" of the project would have meant it was visible from Moffat, Beattock, Lockerbie, Lochmaben and many smaller villages.
Company Response and Council Position
The company expressed disappointment at the decision on a project it stated could supply energy to approximately 450,000 homes.
DGC confirmed receipt of the legal challenge notification.
"The council is not the decision-maker in this case.
The decision being challenged was made by Scottish ministers following the public inquiry process.
The council was notified as an interested party because it had previously objected to the proposal on landscape and visual impact grounds."
The issue was discussed privately by the council's planning committee.
A Scottish government spokesperson stated:
"The Scottish government has received notice of the appeal to the Court of Session.
As this matter is now subject to legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
