Highland Council objects to major power line upgrade

SSEN Transmission has been accused of having “no respect” as Highland Council officially objected to its plans for a 186km overhead line, including a “Big Ben-sized” pylon.

Members of the council’s south planning committee unanimously agreed to go with a recommendation from planning officers to raise an objection to the Beauly to Peterhead line at Wednesday’s meeting (June 17).

Joining his colleagues in agreeing to object, council convener councillor Bill Lobban said the company had found the “cheapest way possible” to deliver the line.

The plans would see 56km of the 400kv overhead line pass through the Highlands, supported by pylons with an average height of 58m.

As part of the plans, a “special tower” is also planned to be sited near the Caledonian Canal, which, at 97m tall, would make it one of the tallest structures in Scotland.

Moray and Aberdeenshire both stand to bear the brunt of the remaining 130km of the line, with councillors in Moray having already objected to the plans, but Aberdeenshire councillors choosing not to.

After almost four hours of presentation by the planning team, councillors from south planning were all in agreement about objecting to the application.

Cllr Andrew MacKintosh (Inverness Ness-side, Labour) said it was “three-quarters of an application” as it lacked “key” mitigation measures.

He emphasised how “financial consideration” should not be at the top of SSEN Transmission’s list – adding that the Highlands was fed up with being treated as a “national resource”.

Referring to the “special tower”, Cllr Duncan Macpherson (Inverness South, Highland Alliance) said it was almost as tall as Big Ben.

It would also dwarf one of Scotland’s best-known modern-day landmarks – The Kelpies near Falkirk – which dominate their surroundings at 30m tall.

Cllr Michael Gregson (Inverness Central, Labour) said SSEN Transmission was acting with a “degree of impunity” with this application.

Cllr Ken Gowans (Inverness South, SNP) said there was “no respect shown here” by the applicant.

The planned route for the overhead line passes through several areas of importance, including the Culloden Battlefield, being identified as standing to have “significant adverse effects” on ten different landscape types, 22 residential areas, 14 recreational areas and five areas of transport, as concluded by the planning team.

SSEN Transmission’s proposal is subject to a public enquiry.

A final decision on the project will come at a later date.