Planning Committee seeks more detail on repowering of Crystal Rig windfarm
East Lothian Planning Committee met on Tuesday 5 May and heard two applications; the repowering of Crystal Rig windfarm, and details of a new home in Dirleton.
Committee members debated an application from Fred Olsen Renewables Ltd for construction and operation of a repower of Crystal Rig One wind farm, consisting of up to 10 wind turbines including six turbines with a maximum overall height of up to 230 m and the remaining four turbines with a maximum overall height of up to 200 m, at the existing windfarm 10km south of Dunbar in the Lammermuir Hills.
The application will be determined by the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit. East Lothian Council is a consultee on the application. The consultation was called off the Scheme of Delegation by Councillor Jardine due to the community interest.
The proposed development refers to the existing Crystal Rig One site, which was established in 2003 as one of Scotland’s first onshore commercial-scale wind farms. Its operational life of 25 years ends in 2027. The site currently comprises 25 turbines which will be decommissioned to enable the construction of the proposed development, which will have an operational period of 35 years.
Environmental Impact Assessment Report omits surveys
While the windfarm itself is mainly in the Scottish Borders, access roads for the transportation and construction work lie in East Lothian. Our Biodiversity Officer highlighted several omissions from the developer’s Environmental Impact Assessment Report including up to date ecological surveys for the entire route and an up to date tree survey. It was also a concern that the Outline Construction Environmental Management Plan provided did not specifically mention the access route within the East Lothian Council boundary.
Objection submitted
Following a debate, members voted unanimously to submit an objection to the Energy Consents Unit (ECU) at this stage. They also agreed that the our Chief Planning Officer be authorised to undertake discussions with the ECU to seek to resolve these objections and that conditions be agreed and attached to the consent if required.
Members also voted unanimously to approve conditions for the erection of a house on land north of Speedwell House, Main Road, Dirleton, which had been approved at a previous Planning Committee meeting in March 2026.
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