Reaction to SSEN consultation deadline concession over massive 400kV overhead power line taking in swathe of Ross-shire
A POWER distribution company tasked with a massive overhead power line infrastructure project taking in a huge swathe of Ross-shire has extended its consultation deadline by two weeks.
The concession – which SSEN says is down to the "extent of interest in the project and in direct response to requests from the community+ - was yesterday welcomed by a Ross-shire campaign group which was forced to turn people away from a packed public meeting last week.
Dan Bailey of Strathpeffer and Contin Better Cable Route said: "The two-week extension by SSEN of the deadline to comment on their consultation demonstrates the power of public pressure. When we know we’re in the right we can get things changed.”
SSEN recently launched a consultation on building a 400kV overhead power line with 50-60 metre high pylons from Spittal to Beauly, along with new substations, access roads, and felled corridors through woodland. Having learned of the proposals for the first time just a fortnight or so ago, affected communities were first given until March 31 st to comment at this stage of the process,
As of today, SSEN has subsequently extended the deadline to Friday, April 14 following pressure from residents. However prior to any discussion, SSEN have already detailed a ‘preferred route’ for the line which is of concern to a number of Highland communities.
READ ALSO: Campaigners warn of SSEN 'ambush' over short-notice power line revamp consultation
But Dan Bailey noted that "it appears the team of two SSEN community liaison contacts have been impossible to reach. One team member has been on leave in recent days, whilst the other has had in place an automatic response saying they have been overwhelmed with queries. They promise to publish answers to a set of Frequently Asked Questions at an unspecified date in April. On this timeline, how can people get the necessary information to help inform their submissions for the SSEN consultation deadline, even now it has been extended slightly?”
“We have asked SSEN to hold a public meeting in Strathpeffer and I’m pleased to say they have agreed to do so” said Ron McAulay of Strathpeffer Community Council. "This meeting is not likely to be held until the end of May or the beginning of June. It is therefore important that no decisions are made on preferred routes until that meeting has been held and the community has had the chance to get answers to their questions and have been given the opportunity to express their views on the proposals.
“We now urge SSEN to begin a proper and meaningful community engagement and discussion of all route options available.”
An SSEN spokesperson said: “We would like to thank everyone who has shared their feedback so far, which will be carefully considered as we further refine our plans. Given the extent of interest in the project and in direct response to requests from the community, we have extended the consultation period by two weeks and would encourage anyone with an interest in the project to provide their feedback by Friday, April 14.
“The Spittal-Loch Buidhe-Beauly 400kV project is part of a GB wide programme of works that are required to meet UK and Scottish Government 2030 renewable targets, including unlocking the first phase of the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round. In line with the UK Government’s British Energy Security Strategy, these reinforcements will help secure the country’s future energy independence by removing our dependence on, and price exposure to, volatile global wholesale gas markets through accelerating the deployment of homegrown and affordable low carbon electricity generation, and the enabling electricity network infrastructure required to connect and transport this power.
“Whilst delivering this critical national infrastructure by 2030 requires an acceleration of the project development and delivery phases, we remain fully committed to work closely with the local community and wider stakeholders to help inform our design and it is important to note that the project remains in the early stages of development and no specific overhead line alignments have been identified. We are currently seeking feedback on potential route options within approximately 1km wide areas, with this feedback helping inform more detailed route options, which we will further consult on later this year."
Feedback about the proposals can be submitted through the SSEN Transmission project page, available at https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-feedback/spittal---loch-buidhe---beauly-feedback-form?projectId=15864
READ MORE ON THIS STORY IN THIS WEEK'S ROSS-SHIRE JOURNAL.
