I am in complete agreement regarding the need to produce our energy in a way that will cause least damage to our precious Earth and slow, if not stop, any further deterioration of our climate. However, in Britain and especially Scotland, at what cost?
I live directly on the proposed Kintore to Tealing section of the proposed overhead line. The UK and Scottish Governments proposed this line. There are multiple booklets regarding “consultation”, with landowners, the impact on the environment, positive community benefits etc. They are full of smiling people hanging over gates. I have no experience of anyone smiling at what is proposed.
What is proposed are monster pylons marching across our land and that of our neighbours, 170 metres from our house. Also, the lines will cross closer than that, over people’s houses. Our home will be dwarfed by these monstrous towers.
We are told to object after the planning stage. Guess what! Objections are heard in Scotland by the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit. After all the money invested getting the proposed line to planning, I don’t believe that objections will be successful.
Scotland’s beautiful countryside, which people from across the world come to visit, is to be totally destroyed. It is nothing short of vandalism. Even ancient scheduled monuments are to be adversely affected.
All this, when there is no need. Alternative methods are available, such as placing the cables underground or subsea. The cost would not be that much greater, especially taking into consideration the revenue lost from tourism and the
decimation of the hospitality industry in the affected areas.
SSEN, the UK and Scottish governments, aren’t listening to anyone. They are determined to push this line and others, though, despite our protests and alternatives being available. Not in the least democratic.
Sheila M Mather
Brechin, Angus
Regarding Joshua King’s article “I stood on Scotland’s last nuclear reactors and met the people keeping our lights on” (27 November), your readers can be reassured that not only does nuclear keep the lights on, but it is also the cleanest source of electricity we have.
UN analysis shows nuclear has the lowest life cycle carbon use – including mining and decommissioning – of any power source. It also has the lowest mining requirement, the lowest land use, and the lowest impact on ecosystems.
Scotland can be proud that Torness is cutting emissions, cutting bills and protecting our natural environment all at once.
Lincoln Hill Director of Policy and External Affairs, Nuclear Industry
Association
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