Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East and Alexander Burnett, Scottish Conservative MSP candidate for Aberdeenshire West have called for a community consultation on proposals by SSE for super pylons through the Howe of Alford. Under plans being drawn up by Scottish Hydro Electricity Transmission new pylons could stretch 103 miles from Beauly in Inverness-shire to Keith in Moray and then onto Kintore in Aberdeenshire.
The North East MSP has written to Alex Neil MSP, SNP Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners' Rights to demand that the Scottish Government give a commitment to open and public community consultation ahead of any decision being taken to proceed and to consider burying where possible as occurred at parts of the Beauly to Denny scheme.
Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“It is clear that legitimate concerns are being expressed by local residents regarding the proposals by SSE for super pylons through the Howe of Alford.
“Local residents have expressed concerns regarding the destruction of the local landscape as well as the lack of scrutiny regarding the application. In the case of the Beauly to Denny scheme some pylons passing through areas of natural and scenic beauty were buried and I hope that due consideration will be given to this taking place in Aberdeenshire as well.
“I believe it is essential that we see the same public accountability and consultation as was provided for the Beauly to Denny line upgrade.”
Alexander Burnett, Scottish Conservative MSP candidate for Aberdeenshire West said:
“It is clear that the proposed upgrade of pylons from Beauly in Inverness-shire to Kintore in Aberdeenshire could have huge impacts on our natural landscape and effect many communities across the North East.
“It is a matter of considerable concern that residents in properties in the affected areas have not been fully informed and concerns have been raised that the upgrade would have “presumed consent”. The upgrade of the pylons clearly has the potential to impact on the value of local properties and could seriously impact on many homeowners in the area.
“SSE and the Scottish Government provided an assurance prior to the Beauly to Denny pylons replacement scheme being given permission by the Scottish Government that homeowners would not be adversely effected and that residents would be compensated. North East residents will expect nothing less.”