by David Mackay

Forestry chiefs and an energy giant are on a collision course over
controversial plans to build a power line through the Moray countryside.

Building the 14-mile link from the Dorenell wind farm to the Blackhillock
substation near Keith is expected to involve felling more than 6,600 acres
of woodland.

The local authority has already questioned why cables cannot be buried
underground and Marine Scotland has raised fears about the impact on fish
in nearby rivers.

The new line would ultimately connect the turbines scheme south-west of
Dufftown to the National Grid.

But Forestry Commission Scotland has delivered a scathing verdict on
Scottish and Southern Energy Networks’ (SSEN) proposals.

The agency has made seven recommendations and highlighted 12 areas for
further discussion in a letter to the Scottish Government, which will
decide the fate of the plans.

The Forestry Commission has raised concerns about the lack of tree
replanting offered by SSEN and the impact on the economy.

There are also worries the width of the corridor of woodland which will
have to be levelled exceeds national guidelines, with no justification.

SSEN has already faced calls to consider running the cables underground –
including from Moray MSP Richard Lochhead – but insists the move would be
too costly.

Last night a Dufftown bed and breakfast owner also raised the spectre of
tourists being put off returning to the area to enjoy its natural beauty as
the power line would pass within a mile of the village.

Alistair Jeffs said: “The reason people come here is to enjoy the view.
Yes, whisky is a big draw but while they are here most of our guests go
walking.

“This is going to desecrate our woodland. There’s been a gradual chipping
away at the landscape with developments.

“Power lines could be one of the worst because they stretch so far. It’ll
get to the point where people won’t come back.

“I think underground cables are worth the small extra cost on our
electricity bills. If it means preserving the area and encouraging people
to go walking on the Cabrach then it’s a price worth paying.”

Ian Cowe, development officer for the Forestry Commission in Grampian,
called for “rapid discussion” with SSEN to address the issues.

He said: “Scotland’s woodlands and forestry are an economic, as well as
environmental, asset. There is a strong presumption in favour of protecting
Scotland’s woodland resources.

“A new power line can achieve significant public benefit, but Forestry
Commission Scotland expects that when transmission companies identify route
corridors, they aim to minimise environmental impact and where feasible
avoid areas of woodland and forestry.

“The location of high value woodland to be permanently removed should be
mapped and detailed justification for any woodland removal should be produced.”

Mr Cowe warned he Forestry Commission could not recommend the project for
approval in its current form.

Engineers will use a helicopter to drop 135 of the 78ft electric poles into
position to carry the cables to the 59-turbine windfarm, which is due to be
completed in 2018.

A spokesman for SSEN said the firm had held detailed discussions with
Forest Enterprise Scotland before submitting the application.

He said: “We understand that the conservancy division of Forestry
Commission Scotland, which is responsible for forestry and woodland-related
policy, was not aware of these discussions until formal consultation took
place on our application.

“Members of our project team have met the relevant officials to discuss our
proposals, and we are developing design amendments which we are confident
will address the issues raised.”


SAS Volunteer

We publish content from 3rd party sources for educational purposes. We operate as a not-for-profit and do not make any revenue from the website. If you have content published on this site that you feel infringes your copyright please contact: webmaster@scotlandagainstspin.org to have the appropriate credit provided or the offending article removed.

0 Comments

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *