CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed a decision to reject plans to build a wind farm at a beauty spot in the Borders.

Renewable energy company GreenPower applied to Scottish Borders Council to build eight turbines at Broadmeadows Farm in the Yarrow Valley.

However, they were unanimously rejected following concerns about the impact it would have on the local landscape.

And the developers, who had argued that the scheme could meet the energy needs of about 12,000 homes and generate significant revenue for the area, appealed against that decision to the Scottish Government.

But it has now been confirmed by the reporter to Scottish ministers who concluded the development would have "significant adverse effects" on the landscape.

Community councillor Stuart Bell, from Clovenfords, said: "Thanks to all to the hundreds of people who for years have persisted in our objections to a proposal which if it had succeeded would have been an outageous intrusion on a beautiful landscape. Common sense has prevailed."

Plans for the wind farm next to the Southern Upland Way - Scotland's only coast to coast footpath - were first submitted eight years ago. The original application included proposals for 13 turbines. They were scaled back but still met with rejection when put before SBC last June.

Michael J P Cunliffe, a Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers, said: "I find that the proposed development would not accord with the development plan, by reason of its unacceptable landscape and visual impacts including in particular its effects on Broadmeadows/Yarrowford, the Southern Upland Way and the setting of Newark Castle.

"Against that, I have to balance the significant contribution the wind farm could make to renewable electricity targets. I am of the view, however, that the benefits of the appeal proposal do not outweigh its adverse effects and do not justify a departure from the development plan."