Theme 5 of 10

Environment & Renewables

Questions: 21
Votes cast: 255
Comments: 15
Reactions: 51

This theme groups several sub-topics with different response bases, so percentages are shown against the number of responses to each question.

How much do you try to minimise your impact on climate change in terms of your lifestyle? Please tick one option.

88 responses

I dont think about it34%
30
I take easy measures to minimise my impact.30%
26
I take many measures to minimise my environmental impact.28%
25
I do all that I can8.0%
7

What would help you minimise your impact on climate change?

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Financial support to make homes more energy efficient49
Community tree planting initiative33
Clearer planning regulations for solar panels for listed buildings and conservation areas28
Advice on home energy efficiency27
More allotments or Community food growing21
Increase the number of electric car charging points19
Clearer planning regulations on double glazing for listed buildings and conservation areas14
None of these10

In terms of environmental improvements to the land, which of these ideas do you support? (tick all that apply)

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Wildflower planting around existing paths and roads68
Improved planting to make entrance verges more attractive63
Improvements around Cockburnspath Burn50
None of these, no improvements are needed4
None of these, I have other ideas1

How familiar are you with the subject of renewable energy sources eg wind; solar etc?

78 responses

1.3%

1Not familiar

3.8%

3Little knowledge

19%

15Average

44%

34Fairly familiar

32%

25Very

Do you think increasing renewable energy is important for our area?

71 responses

Yes66%47
No34%24

What are your main sources of information about energy and the environment?

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Search engines37
Newspapers (hard copies and online)35
TV documentaries etc30
Social media26
Books and individual reading22
Other – please comment10

What energy issues matter most to you locally?

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Preserving nature and wildlife56
Sustainability49
Cost49
Reliability34
Employment and jobs19
Other – please comment1

Have you noticed any local impact of energy projects (negative or positive)?

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Availability of community benefits to the local community eg funding local initiatives like the shop.55
Visual effect on the landscape51
Visual effects on the coast and seascape46
Track and access roads42
Changes to the countryside eg more buildings and infrastructure40
Road closures and limited access38
Increased traffic35
Noise, dust and fumes27
Other – please comment below4

How supportive are you generally of local windfarms?

71 responses

5.6%

4Extremely against

13%

9Not suppportive

31%

22Neutral

28%

20Fairly supportive

23%

16Very supportive

How supportive are you generally of local solar arrays?

69 responses

25%

17Extremely against

25%

17Not suppportive

26%

18Neutral

16%

11Fairly supportive

8.7%

6Very supportive

Would you consider installing renewable energy in your home?

78 responses

Yes solar44%
34
Already installed solar23%
18
Yes heat pump21%
16
Already installed heat pump13%
10

Would you be interested in community owned energy schemes?

73 responses

Yes84%61
No16%12

How do you feel Scotland should obtain its energy in the future?

73 responses

100 renewables74%
54
A combination of renewables and other technologies26%
19

How do you feel about the upgrades proposed to the national grid

61 responses

I support these75%
46
I feel they should be largely underground, rather than overhead cabling and pylons20%
12
I do not support these.4.9%
3

Are there specific areas where you would be more likely to support renewable projects? (If yes please comment)

45 responses

Yes27%12
No73%33

Are there specific areas where you would not support renewable projects? (If yes please comment)

45 responses

Yes58%26
No42%19

How have the various parties fared on community engagement over forthcoming renewable developments?

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Community Council average21
Scottish Borders Council poor21
Developers average17
Scottish Borders Council average16
Developers poor15
Community Council good10
Community Council poor7
Developers good7

If the Community Council found a good site for a community renewable energy project in the area (owned by the community, with the profits used by and for the community), what would you support? Tick all that apply

Number of votes (tick all that apply)

Wind Turbine/s38
Hyrdoelectic power30
Solar array24
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)18

Do you have an idea for where a community owned renewable energy project should go?

54 responses

Yes87%47
Maybe5.6%3
No7.4%4

Energy payments. Energy developers current guidelines require providing Community Benefits in the form of funds & support for community projects. One mechanism is for the Community Council or Foundation Scotland to administer these funds. If that happens, we would have options on how funding could be spent. Would you support the administration of funds directly to households, to defray energy costs?

58 responses

Yes48%
28
No43%
25
Maybe - more information needed8.6%
5

Do you think our area already has enough/too much renewable projects? Please share your thoughts in the comments discussion section.

45 responses

Yes60%27
No40%18

Public comments

21 comments residents left about Environment & Renewables and its sub-topics.

More bins, including recycling, around shop/school area
Environment
Cutting the verge partially from the church down Hoprig Road is a compromise between safety and supporting wildlife. One time after the council cut it I found two dead hedgehogs.
Environment
Generally both Co’path and Cove look tidy, but I think a lot more could be done to improve litter dropping. Forever picking it up on walk from Cove to the shop in Co’path. The bins around the school playing field could be better as they just blow open and anything inside ends up along the back path and in the woods or in ther hedges. Council don’t do enough along the roads despite reporting so perhaps provision of litter grabs and bags to those who want to help can be made available at the shop?
Environment
It would be great to have some nice colourful planters on the way into the village from both ends. Most rural villages tend to have floral displays and welcome signs now and it would be a lovely addition
Environment
Removal of the caravans behind The Mount.
Environment
One big step would be to remove all parked cars that are associated with the garage. It’s been an eye sore for a few years now and is recently been a danger to the junction coming in and out of the village. Accident waiting to happen with the view coming out the junction being obstructed by vehicles. I do also thing new signage that’s more welcoming and new flower planter etc would be great
Environment
Litter removal on old A1 between village and quarry turn off.
Environment
Walking maps, details of local sites would be great.
Environment