CONTROVERSIAL proposals for nearly 20 wind turbines in the Lammermuir Hills have been given the go-ahead by Scottish Ministers.

Aikengall IIa, a 19-turbine wind farm, will straddle East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for economy, welcomed the approval of the plans, saying: “Once operational, the Aikengall IIa wind farm will generate up to £9.4 million in community benefit, while producing enough electricity to power almost 35,000 homes and bringing jobs and investment to local communities. Renewable energy sources generated more than 56 per cent of gross electricity consumption in Scotland in 2015, helping support our world-leading ambitions to become a low-carbon economy.”

Developers Community Windpower announced they were “delighted” with the decision and said it would support the creation of more than 100 jobs.

The wind farm is located 12.5 kilometres south of Dunbar, six kilometres south of Innerwick and five kilometres northeast of Cranshaws.