Inquiry into controversial SSEN giant pylon plan linking Beauly and Peterhead under way

A public inquiry is underway into plans for a new powerline across the north of Scotland.

The 400kV overhead line would link proposed substations at Fanellan near Beauly and Peterhead, around 115 miles to the east.

Highland and Moray councils have objected to SSEN Transmission’s plans, citing visual and environmental blight.

The power giant says the upgrade is essential for future electricity supply.

The hearing, at the Bught Park sports pavilion in Inverness, is a contest considered by many as the latest in a series of ‘David versus Goliath’ battles in which the energy company faces the wrath of passionate communities who warned that the development would do more harm than good.

The applicant argues that the expansion of electricity substations and grid lines is essential.

The proposed network is 115 miles long STV News

Spokesman Thomas Nicoll told STV News: “It is a critical project, as has been identified by government.

“Our job has been to plan that project, consult with people as we have done for the last three years and then put it through to a planning application which we’ve done.

“And now we’re entering the public inquiry process which is another great opportunity to discuss the merits of the project in detail.”

Claims and counter claims about the adequacy of public consultation have overshadowed the project.

The four-day inquiry will decide the success or failure of SSEN’s plans to build an upgraded stretch of 300ft pylons. Its initial focus was landscape and visual impact.

Lyndsey Ward, of the 7,500-member campaign group Communities B4 Power Companies, warned that the project would have a “devastating” impact on the environment.

The 400kV overhead line would link proposed substations at Fanellan near Beauly and Peterhead STV News

She said: “People will be horrified. We’ve taken a few people to look at the Beauly-Denny (line) because they can’t imagine in their heads what the size of these pylons are going to be like.

“Even the Balblair substation that had a noise abatement notice on it is only a fraction of the size of the substations that SSEN want to put in.”

Highland and Moray councils have objected, citing visual and environmental blight to sensitive locations including Culloden Battlefield and the Caledonian Canal.

What is not in question is the need for strengthening the national grid.

It is frequently overloaded by the volume of renewable energy generated in the Highlands.

Compensation in the shape of “constraint payments” paid to windfarmers over the past 16 years to switch off turbines has now cost electricity customers £2.5bn.

The public inquiry runs until Friday.

Three Scottish Government reporters will give their recommendations to ministers in the coming months. A verdict is expected to be known next February.