MORE than 100 jobs could be created through the creation of a controversial wind farm, which straddles the border of East Lothian and the Scottish Borders.

Community Windpower Ltd was given the go-ahead for Aikengall IIa last week, with 19 turbines to be created on the Lammermuir Hills, six kilometres south of Innerwick.

READ MORE: 19-turbine wind farm approved

The scheme will have a total generating capacity of 75.5 megawatts and provide more than £9.4 million in community benefit funding over the operational lifetime of the wind farm for the local communities.

However, both East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council objected to the scheme.

READ MORE: Councillors oppose plans for more turbines at Aikengall

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said: “The council is disappointed that the Scottish Government has ignored local concerns, particularly over landscape and visual impact, and granted consent for Aikengall IIa.

“The council will seek to ensure that the conditions attached to the deemed planning permission which accompanies the consent are adhered to in order to minimise the effects of the development on the local community.”

The Aikengall IIa project represents an investment of £120 million.

Rod Wood, managing director at Community Windpower, said: “We are delighted with the news that our Aikengall IIa project has been consented.

“We have worked with many Scottish companies through our recent projects and we are committed to continue our investment in the Scottish economy.”

The wind farm will displace over 99,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, equating to over 2.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its operational lifetime.

The development will consist of the turbines, as well as associated access tracks, crane hardstandings, a meteorological mast, substation/control room buildings and compound, together with a temporary construction and storage compound, substation construction compound and two borrow pits.

Aikengall IIa is the third wind farm at the site, after Aikengall and Aikengall II.

Together, the three wind farms at Aikengall will comprise a total of 54 wind turbines, generating 180 MW of energy.