by ALISTAIR MUNRO
CAMPAIGNERS have raised concerns that plans for a new power line in the
Highlands will lead to an unsightly stretch of “mega-pylons” erected across
areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) is looking at proposals for a 65km line
from Beauly to Loch Buidhe, near Bonar Bridge in Sutherland and are
considering three possible routes.
Objectors believe this is just the beginning of a plan to introduce a mega
power line between Beauly and Keith, similar to the controversial
Beauly-Denny system.
SSE has admitted they are investigating the possibility of installing
another power line from Beauly to Blackhillock, near Keith, and the company
is believed to be looking at three route corridors for a proposed 275kV
overhead transmission line (OHTL). The three routes will all cut through an
area that already has two substations, three large wind farms already
constructed and another one, which has been given planning consent, in the
pipeline.
The proposed routes will go very close to designated Wild Land and border
the Designed Landscape of Ardross Castle, a Grade A listed building with a
famous history, including being once owned by 19th-century opium magnate
Alexander Matheson.
John Edmonston of Ardross Community Council said: “This is one to watch as
this will affect many other communities along the route.
“It is, in effect, the precursor to the Beauly-Keith power line, which will
be much like the Beauly-Denny pylons.
He described the proposed new pylons as the “heavy price” rural communities
have to pay for the current energy policy of the Scottish Government.
He added: “At a certain stage we might be presented with very difficult
choices and we will have to decide how to respond to that.”
SSE has been accused of drip-feeding information about plans for the power
line from Beauly to Keith.
Pat Wells, co-ordinator of the Save Strathdearn Campaign, said residents’
concerns surfaced in September when they became aware of survey work along
a possible power line route.
She added: “There is an urgent need for greater transparency and honesty as
to what is planned to allow communities to assess the impacts of these
major developments before it is too late.
“The visual intrusion and environmental damage caused by the Beauly-Denny
power line has surprised and appalled many people locally as well as
visitors from across the world. People cannot believe that planners and the
Scottish Government allow the world-renowned Scottish countryside to be
industrialised by such a flawed technology as wind power.”
“The very last thing we want is a huge ugly power line like the
Beauly-Denny line now ravaging the Drumochter hills and Perthshire. To
blight our hills and glens with an even bigger power line adds insult to
injury.”
Wells added: “Currently Scotland has about 2,500 operational wind turbines.
Alex Salmond’s policy for onshore wind energy could see that rise to over
6,000. Applications are flooding into local authority planning departments
at an alarming rate and approvals will result in further industrialisation
of Scotland’s countryside and threaten its fast-disappearing wild landscapes.”
Wells asked: “Do the people of Scotland really want to see their unique and
beautiful countryside ruined for generations by industrial-scale wind farms
and the associated huge power lines and pylons?”
An SSE spokesman said: “One of the potential future projects involves
reinforcing the electrical network between Beauly substation and a new
substation near Loch Buidhe. Consultations on this project will commence
from Monday.
“The project basically requires the replacement of an existing 132kV
overhead line with a new 275kV connection. We are looking at potential
route corridors for the new connection and are keen to receive feedback on
initial proposals, residents are encouraged to attend one of the
consultation events to provide us with comments.
“We are at the very beginning of the consultation process and are
investigating all options… No decisions have been made on the route or what
the connection will look like.”
He claimed plans for a Beauly-Keith connection were “too early in the
process” but added: “An overhead line is a potential. The option of looking
at undergrounding is there.
“It is not needed just now. We are looking at the next decade. We have an
obligation to provide connections and we will go out to the public and ask
their opinion.”
He added that if some potential power generation project did not go ahead
then it may negate the need for a connection.”
0 Comments