R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

A public inquiry into plans for a 137-mile power line through the Scottish countryside has begun.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) said it wants to replace an existing line between Beauly, near Inverness, and Denny, near Stirling.

The inquiry, which began in Perth, follows years of controversy over the proposals for about 600 pylons, which would be up to 65m tall.

SSE said it believed the plans would eventually be approved by ministers.

The power company said the £320m development was needed for the reliable transmission of electricity from renewable sources from the north of Scotland, which would be enough to power one million homes.

However, the proposals, which would see pylons erected in some of Scotland's most picturesque locations, including the Cairngorms National Park and the Southern Highlands, have attracted fierce opposition since being announced in 2005.

More than 17,000 objections have been received by the Scottish Executive so far, including concerns raised by local authorities through which the power line would pass, as well as conservation body Scottish Natural Heritage.

Residents have also formed opposition groups, including Highlands Before Pylons and Pylon Pressure, raising concerns about threats to tourism, house prices and health.

The 11-month inquiry, set to be the longest of its kind in Scotland since devolution, will hear evidence from a long list of witnesses and sit in Inverness, Newtonmore and Stirling.

SSE has already ruled out an argument for putting the line underground on cost grounds.

The company's chief operating officer, Colin Hood, said: "We believe that our proposals, which reflect five years of environmental and technical studies and public consultations, are strongly founded and will eventually receive the go-ahead.

"It is vital that they do, because the country's goals for greener and more indigenous sources of energy depend on it."

Opening the inquiry's first session, principal reporter Timothy Brian said the proceedings were unusually long and complex.

"The aim is to give everyone a fair hearing and provide the reporters with all the information necessary," he said.

The inquiry reports will eventually be submitted to Scottish ministers for a final decision.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I suppose it will cost more to have the enquiry, so the money which is spent on this could be added to the cost to put the wireing etc under ground?

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

More than 17,000 objections have been received by the Scottish Executive so far, including concerns raised by local authorities through which the power line would pass, as well as conservation body Scottish Natural Heritage.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Which I'm sure will be completely ignored.

Ian.

gfloyd · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject:

I suppose it has to go somewhere. Unless people want to go back to using gaslight and candles.
_________________
His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Locals to the north-west of Beauly are annoyed about the potential loss in tourism revenues as there are plans to site pylons from Ullapool to Beauly to take advantage of a proposed huge windfarm site in the Western Isles. If you drive along the A832/A835 from Dingwall to Ullapool you see lots of "Highlands Before Pylons" signs along the side of the road.
http://www.hbp.org.uk/

There are also dozens of proposed wind farm sites up in Easter Ross, Sutherland and Caithness, mostly on private estate sites where the landowners will reap an economic windfall, like the Lochluichart proposal. However, locals aren't so impressed as few jobs will benefit the region, outside contractors being lined up to do all of the work. Plus there's the added factor that 99% of the power generated will end up in the central belt of Scotland instead.
_________________
Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)