EAST Lothian councillors could follow in the footsteps of their colleagues in the Scottish Borders and oppose plans for an extension to a wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills.

Members of the local authority’s cabinet committee are being urged to oppose Community Windpower’s scheme for Aikengall 2A.

Already, 16 turbines are in place at Aikengall with 19 more turbines consented for Aikengall 2. Now, a further 19 are planned, although a final decision on Aikengall 2A lies with the Scottish Government.

The developers have already dropped the number of turbines at the wind farm, three kilometres south of Oldhamstocks, from 27 to 19.

But that was still not enough for council officers to recommend backing the scheme. Discussions about the plans, which would see five turbines in East Lothian, will take place on Tuesday morning in Haddington.

Ahead of the meeting, Councillor Michael Veitch backed the recommendation to oppose the scheme.

He said: “Originally, it was a delegated decision by officers for the original larger application. It was rejected then, which was very welcome.

“I’m delighted the council paper continues to recommend that East Lothian Council continues to oppose the Aikengall 2A development.

“It’s been my position for a long time that enough is enough. Aikengall and Aikengall 2 are there and several Crystal Rig phases – we are well beyond capacity.

“The other thing to keep in mind is that we have got Torness in that particular part of the countryside and we are punching well above our weight and doing our bit for Scotland.” East Lammermuir Community Council’s objections are also included in the 17-page report.

According to the report: “They object on the grounds of the precedent set by the construction of the proposed turbines at Aikengall 2a, as it contravenes the East Lothian Council planning guidance on wind turbines which are too large for this location.

“As the turbines would be clearly visible from many points within the Oldhamstocks Conservation Village Area, the visual and landscape impact of this proposal on the conservation village is unacceptable.

“There would be cumulative impact – the proposed turbines above Oldhamstocks would add to the sense of being surrounded by turbines in every direction, and would impact on visual and landscape amenity.

“Residential amenity would be affected due to visual, noise and psychological impacts. They also raise concerns about re-instatement of the access road and impact of construction and maintenance related traffic as well as some non-planning matters.” Last year, East Lothian Council opted to oppose the plans for the 27 wind turbines. Among the reasons given for the council’s objection was the cumulative impact it would have in respect of other wind farm developments, including Aikengall I, Crystal Rig, Wester Dod, Ferneylea and Hoprigshiel.

At that time, eight of the turbines would have been in East Lothian.

Earlier this week, five of the seven councillors at the Scottish Borders council meeting went against their planning officers’ recommendation and they opposed Aikengall 2A.