Plans for substation size of '30 football pitches' racks up 1,700 objections

Plans for an electricity substation covering “the size of 30 football pitches” across Angus farmland have attracted more than 1,500 objections.

The application is seeking permission to build a substation platform at Balkemback Farm in Tealing and was lodged by SSEN last November.

If approved, it will be the size of nearly 30 football pitches.

The proposed location is at the southern end of a line of planned ‘super-pylons’ SSEN want to run from Aberdeenshire to Angus.

The Scottish Government will decide on the 400kV line scheme. However, the substation application decision lies with Angus Council.

The plans have proven to be controversial and 1,700 objections have been submitted to the local authority.

Concerns raised include the possible impact on the landscape, property devaluation, noise and pollution.

Several community councils, including Tealing, Strathmartine, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Inveresk, are among those who oppose the development.

Campaign groups Stop Tealing Industrialisation Group (STIG) and Angus Pylon Action Group (APAG) have also submitted a joint 28-page document.

They claim SSEN has failed to demonstrate “a wider case” for the plans and there is no clear justification for the proposal.

An SSEN Transmission spokesperson said: “The proposed Emmock substation site was identified following an extensive site selection exercise, which included seeking and considering feedback from the community and other stakeholders while balancing technical and environmental considerations.

“Community feedback has helped shape the substation design, reducing the platform level and orientating features to reduce visibility.

“The substation is a key part of our plans to upgrade the electricity network in the north of Scotland in support of national clean power and energy security ambitions – we are working with Angus Council as part of the planning process, as we seek the timely determination of our application.”

Angus councillors will consider the substation application in due course.