‘A slap in the face for Stirling’ as power line protests thrown out

Scottish Power Transmission’s visual impact mitigation proposals for the line near Stirling had been condemned by councillors and action groups as “inadequate and ineffective”.

But the scheme was given the go-ahead yesterday by energy minister Fergus Ewing, who rejected calls to bury some of the new line near Stirling, although he said a 4.3-mile stretch of the existing section between Fallin and Glenbervie in Stirlingshire should go underground.

He also set out additional landscape improvements as part of a project to develop the Central Scotland Green Network, which includes woodland, walking and cycling routes, green space and waterways.

Mr Ewing said the Beauly-Denny upgrade was the most significant grid infrastructure project in a generation.

He said: “I have approved SPT’s proposals, which I am content mitigate the impact of the line through planting, landscape reinforcement and the undergrounding of existing low-voltage overhead lines in seven locations.

“However, I am also requesting additional compensatory and mitigation measures, to improve the area and bring long-lasting benefit to the communities.”

The minister said burying the line, at an extra £263 million, could not be justified.

“My decision represents a way forward which maximises the potential benefits to the people of Stirling from the costs which are incurred by the public, and avoids delay to this crucial development,” he said.

The 137-mile Beauly-Denny line was approved in January 2010, despite widespread opposition. The 400kV overhead line will replace the existing 132kV line and take power from renewables schemes in the Highlands and Islands to the south.

SPT, which is developing 12.5 miles of the line, was asked to draw up a scheme to reduce the visual impact of the project. After its first proposal was rejected, a new plan was submitted in August. However, this, too, was dismissed by campaigners.

Yesterday, Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said the additional mitigation measures amounted to very little, given the huge visual impact of the new pylons close to the Ochils and the Wallace Monument.

He said: “The announcement by the minister today of the approval of the ScottishPower visual impact scheme is a slap in the face of the people of Stirling. These proposals faced widespread and united public opposition in the Stirling area.

“I would ask the minister in relation to this and future developments, what is the point of public consultation if at every turn his government will favour the multinational company over local people?”

The lobby group Stirling Before Pylons said the promise of enhanced landscape measures was a “complete insult” to residents. Spokeswoman Caroline Paterson said: “To desecrate a precious and well-used landscape on the one hand, whilst offering a few cycle paths with the other, is incredulous and should be mocked for the insult it is.”

Stirling Council also said it was extremely disappointed. Callum Campbell, chairman of its Beauly-Denny power line steering group, said: “Localised tower painting and some screen planting will not detract from the presence of 60m-high pylons crossing a relatively flat landscape. The power line will have a significant impact on the Wallace Monument and the Ochils Area of Great Landscape Value.”

He said that an increase in high-voltage overhead power lines was “wholly unacceptable” in terms of health and visual intrusion, and it was particularly disappointing that other forms of mitigation, including undergrounding, had been disregarded.

ScottishPower said yesterday its mitigation costs might top £35m. It plans to start work on its upgrade section next year.