At a meeting on Tuesday February 12, development control manager Peter Arnsdorf outlined the reasons why officials were recommending the proposals be rejected.

It was considered that harm to the area outweighed any benefits.

These included:

The effect on local birdlife;

Potential problems concerning peat bogs and sinking;

The visual impact and its possible deterrent to tourism.

It was noted the applicants had not provided an assessment of potential damage to fisheries or of any flood risk.

They had also been unclear on the proximity of the turbines to the road and had suggested that the final choice of turbine and their locations may differ from those presently proposed.

Alternative

Only three councillors - Alex Bennett, Wilma Chalmers and Margot Russell - came out in favour of the windfarm, while 11 voted against the application.

Councillor Bennett said that as Midlothian Council was not in favour of nuclear power it ought to actively accept wind power as an alternative, thus setting an example.

Three committee members had to leave the chamber, after declaring an interest, on legal advice.

These included chairman Russell Imrie, Owen Thompson and Jim Muirhead, who are on the board of the Pentlands Park Regional Committee (PPRC).

Full report and reaction will appear in the Midlothian Advertiser, February 21, 2008