I feel compelled to comment on your article ‘Sir Francis wins appeal to erect 35m-tall turbine’.

I see this as yet another abuse of the Scottish Government’s power. Our local planning officer makes a professional recommendation based on environmental assessment that is accepted by the council, only to be over-ruled by the Scottish Government after an appeal.

I have not read the full report but it appears that the Government’s Reporter, Mr Harris, has assessed the impact of the proposed turbine from an unreasonably narrow viewpoint (Pencaitland crossroads) to a relatively small, yet important landscape feature in the panoramic view (Traprain Law).

He has conceded that the turbine is intrusive but that the intrusion is qualified by serious factors, quoting: 1. Pencaitland crossroads is a busy junction and as such impairs the appreciation of the landscape from that standpoint. 2. Street furniture and traffic signs currently interrupt views for pedestrians and views from motor vehicles are “fitful and unlikely to be appreciated”. 3. The mitigation proposals made by Sir Francis Ogilvy referring to a few bushes and four oak trees would reduce the openness of the view.

I find it difficult to see how any of these factors are particularly relevant in the overall impact of the proposed turbine, never mind ‘serious qualifications’.

I am left wondering in this instance if a serious examination of the visual and environmental impact has been made by Mr Harris.

The more worrying thing is that it now seems that it is now open season for the erection of individual turbines situated in the open countryside and our local council appear to have little power to enforce some sort of control that will mitigate their visual impact.

The reality is that the principal of precedent seems to have set in. If the turbine recently erected in the most visually prominent position possible at Samuelston is considered acceptable then the reality is that this progressive decline in the value of our countryside will accelerate as most farms, large businesses and houses will apply for individual turbines.

I accept that renewable energy is necessary, but at what cost?

Tim Lemon Collier Cottage West Morham