Communities set to benefit from cash wind-fall

Ally McGilvray • Published 27 Apr 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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RURAL communities across the region are celebrating a cash wind-fall this week.

Energy companies behind three wind farms in the Borders have confirmed they have launched a community fund which could generate more than £2.8 million for the local economy.

Residents in Stow, Heriot, and Oxton are set to share £115,000 a year over the next 25 years.

It follows the development of Toddleburn, Carcant and Longpark wind farms.

The Scottish Community Foundation has been appointed by Scottish and Southern Energy and EDF Energy Renewables to manage all three community benefit funds in what is believed to be one of the first schemes of its kind in Scotland.

And now a public meeting has been organised to help them decide how to spend it.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Chris Bell, SSE's Community Liaison Manager, said: "We are looking forward to seeing these funds being utilised to help many worthwhile projects make a real difference to these communities."

And he added: "This is also a great opportunity for community members to get involved in the decision-making process through our partners the Scottish Community Foundation."

The official public launch of all three funds will be held in Stow Town Hall on Tuesday, April 27, at 6pm.

And residents who live in the community council areas of Stow and Fountainhall, Heriot, Oxton and Channelkirk, and Moorfoot have been invited to attend.

Xavier Arnould, from EDF Energy Renewables, said: "We are always keen to support the communities we work in, particularly if we can help deliver positive change, which I think we can do with our partnership with the community, SSE and the Scottish Community Foundation."

And he added: "We are delighted to be able to invest in Stow and Fountainhall in this way."

The 12-turbine Toddleburn wind farm, north of Lauder, and the three-turbine Carcant wind farm, near Heriot, run by SSE will generate around £70,000 per year to be shared between all four community council areas for the next 25 years.

And the 19-turbine Longpark wind farm, south of Stow, run by EDF, will generate an extra £45,000 a year for the community council in Stow and Fountainhall.

The Scottish Community Foundation will work with the communities to establish local advisory panels to make decisions on how the funds should be allocated. Using its grant-making expertise, the Foundation will help communities allocate awards strategically to ensure long lasting impact. It will also help with the day-to-day administration of the funds.

Communities benefiting from more than one fund typically have to manage

each one separately. But SSE and EDF Energy Renewables have agreed to amalgamate the management of their three neighbouring funds to streamline the process.

Giles Ruck, chief executive of the Scottish Community Foundation, said:

"As the number of wind farms in Scotland grows, we hope more developers

will follow SSE and EDF's example to link their funds. We're looking

forward to working with these communities to help them identify goals

and unleash their ambition to achieve them."

The windfarms at Toddleburn and Longpark were initially refused planning permission by Scottish Borders Council but the developers appealed.

Borders Party Councillor Sandy Aitchison, who stays in Stow, said: "There is no doubt that wind farms have changed the look of our countryside and some of our villages. In this area we have been particularly affected."

But he added: "The community councils involved have worked well to obtain agreement for these funds and then taking the very sensible decision to allow the funds to be administered by the Scottish Community Foundation."

Stow Village Hall and sports pavilion, which are both in need of a makeover, may be among the projects to benefit from the cash.

Councillor Aitchison said: "I hope these communities can look forward to many years of cooperation with the Foundation, EDF Energy Renewables and SSE to make positive changes."

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