Councillors oppose ‘super-pylons’ project as ‘colossal’ act of vandalism

Angus councillors have opposed a controversial multi-million-pound ‘super-pylon’ project, calling it a “colossal” act of vandalism.

The energy giant formally lodged plans for the multi-million pound overhead line scheme with the Scottish Government in September.

If approved, it would see a line of 180-feet tall pylons erected along a 70-mile corridor between Angus and Aberdeenshire.

However, some could be as high as 246 feet.

SSEN say the scheme is a key component of its wider £22bn Pathway to 2030 investment programme.

The Scottish Government will decide on the application.

Statutory consultees, such as councils, were given two months to give their responses to the application

And in a report which went before councillors on Monday, local authority planning chiefs had recommended the proposal should, on balance, not be opposed.

During Monday’s meeting, a raft of emotionally charged deputations objecting to the proposals were heard in the council chamber.

Among those calling for councillors to back them in opposing the development was Lesley Joiner.

She said: “We are being asked to live not beside but almost under the line of pylons.

“The proposed structures will be overwhelming and will change our landscape immeasurably.”

Dr Fraser Smith, a Tealing resident and civil engineering expert, added: “This is a real case of the lunatics running the asylum and they’re greedy lunatics as well.”

However, SSEN representative Jackie Taylor said the scheme would be a “catalyst for employment, business growth and clean infrastructure development”.

Council leader George Meechan subsequently lodged a motion calling for on the local authority to object to the proposals.

He said the scheme failed to meet the local development plan or national planning policy.

SNP councillor Chris Beattie added: “I hope the public have been reassured that while we’ve been limited on what we were allowed to say over the last two and a half years, we have been listening.

“Personally, I think that this is an act of vandalism on a colossal scale.”

Councillor Meechan’s motion was unanimously backed by councillors. However, the rejection of the scheme could force a public inquiry.