AN appeal by energy company RidgeWind Ltd to build a windfarm near Heriot has been thrown out by the Government Reporter.

The company applied to Scottish Borders Council in January, 2012, to site the 115-metre high turbines on land at Gilston Farm.

Permission was refused by planning committee members in December.

But RidgeWind UK took their fight to the Government by appealing against the decision.

Following a site visit and gathering of evidence, Government Reporter Richard Bowden has sided with the local authority Mr Bowden said: “I conclude that the economic case and related sustainability benefits put forward in support of the appeal proposal do not provide sufficient justification to override the outstanding concerns regarding likely adverse impacts - notably with regard to significant local and wider landscape and visual amenity issues, including in respect of cumulative impacts.

“The appeal proposal would not accord with all relevant policies of the development plan and national planning policy and associated guidance on these matters.”