Controversial Fetteresso Forest substation plans narrowly refused after seven-hour debate

SSEN’s controversial plan to build a substation at Fetteresso Forest near Stonehaven has been narrowly refused despite claims it would boost the region’s economic future.

Proposals for the 400kV facility, that was to be named Hurlie after the nearby bog, replaced previous plans at Fiddes which were scrapped three years ago.

It had been met with staggering opposition as more than 2,000 letters of objection were submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.

But despite this, SSEN bosses argued the substation was needed to expand capacity of the grid and provide clean power for generations to come.

While the plans had been discussed twice before, the fate of the development was decided by members of the infrastructure services committee today.

Objectors claimed it was the “wrong development in the wrong place” and was “wanton destruction” of the forest’s woodland and habitat of many wild species.

Many also believed constructing the facility would lead to the industrialisation of the rural area.

But after a tense seven-hour debate, councillors finally gave their verdict.

Chris Gardner of SSEN attended the Woodhill House meeting to make one final case for the project.

He said the Hurlie substation would be an “environmentally responsible, sensitively sited and well-screened development”.

He added: “It is designed to deliver nationally critical grid capacity that will support clean power and energy security targets in a way that respects local amenity and environmental quality.

“Our planned investments across the region, of which Hurlie is a key component, will deliver a significant positive economic benefit.

“We forecast an estimated spend of up to £1bn on local businesses, boosting the Aberdeenshire economy by up to £820m and supporting an estimated 1,140 jobs across the region.”

Mr Gardner revealed that 91 homes would be built in Stonehaven for construction workers.

Addressing concerns previously raised about the Scottish Crossbill, he said SSEN was carrying out pre-construction surveys that would cover all bird species.

He also explained that the firm has its own bird species protection plan developed in agreement with NatureScot.

Jason Stewart of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce spoke at the meeting in support of the development.

He argued it was needed to secure the region’s economic future.

Mr Stewart said: “Upgrading our energy grid is absolutely key to unlocking investment in a range of sectors that will be important to our future economy.

“The Hurlie project is particularly important because our region’s long-term prosperity is going to depend on diversifying our economy into industries of the future.

“It will play a critical role in delivering Scotland’s future energy system, ensuring the network can support major investment and long-term economic growth in the north-east.”

Stonehaven councillor Dawn Black wanted to see the substation approved, but admitted she said that “with a heavy heart”.

She explained: “The substation equals transmission, which unlocks the potential of projects for this region.

“It supports the transmission to renewables, and it’s required to unlock the offshore wind electrification of industry and wider decarbonation projects that are in the pipeline.

“If investment is not made here because of the lack of transmission infrastructure, it will go elsewhere, and then the north-east of Scotland will suffer because of it.

“We will suffer economically and with more job losses in the gradual transition from oil and gas to electric.”

But Mearns councillor George Carr called for the application to be refused over fears it would change the landscape of the forest and potentially create flooding issues.

He also added: “We were promised a just transition.

“I am not actually seeing that and that is increasingly concerning me week by week with what I am seeing unfolding in the north-east of Scotland.”

The matter went to a vote which resulted in a tie.

Committee chairman, Stonehaven councillor Alan Turner, had the casting vote and decided that the application be refused.

He too had raised concerns about the impact of the landscape, saying the substation would “drastically” change it and create “industrialisation of the area”.