Pylon campaigners to protest at Holyrood

Groups campaigning against 'super pylons' in Aberdeenshire are set to protest at Holyrood on Thursday.

It comes after they lodged a petition to the Scottish Parliament - which has attracted over 2,00 signatures - calling for improvements within the consultation for SSEN's Kintore to Tealing 400kV project.

The overhead electricity line which stretches 66 miles would see pylons spanning up to 70 metres tall starting in Aberdeenshire and ending in Angus.

A substation has also been planned for Fetteresso Forest, after the electricity company ditched plans for it to be located at Fiddes.

Residents have expressed extreme concerns of the overhead electricity lines disrupting the countryside and people's properties.

Local campaigner Tracy Smith submitted the petition on behalf of Save Our Mearns after residents felt dissatisfied with the consultation process.

Around 70 campaigners are expected to attend the protest, which coincides with a debate taking place in parliament.

Calls for improved consultation

Demands emerged for an improved consultation process following claims information provided was "insufficient" and "rushed".

Tracy, who lives in Mearns, said residents received letters and leaflets containing links directing to different projects and QR codes which were missing.

She said people have been leaving consultation events in tears and branded the process as a "show and tell".

Tracy said: "They are not listening to us. They are carrying on as if this project is a done deal.

"They are telling us at the consultations that they don't need to be doing them because this is on a voluntary basis.

"We would like the Scottish Government to actually make some amendments to the guidance that's issued to the electricity operators and have some consequences for them if they don't actually carry out a meaningful consultation."

Now, they are calling on ministers to step in and 'support the people of the North East'.

Tracy continued: "I want to hear all politicians from all parties supporting the people of the North East of Scotland, the Highlands, anywhere else that is having this infrastructure imposed on them.

"I want them to listen, understand and take it on board and have meaningful conversations as well.

"I hope that the Scottish Government wake up to the fact that pushing forward too fast is wrong. They need to take a step back, they need to tell SSEN to take a step back and re-look at the whole picture and look at what is best for Scotland."

SSEN 'actively considering' new overhead line alignments

SSEN say it is now "actively considering" new overhead line alignments particularly in Careston, Drumoak and Echt.

Last month, Deeside Against Pylons group hosted a tractor run through the roads of the villages earmarked for overhead powerlines.

The Kintore to Tealing 400kV project was proposed to support the growth in onshore and offshore renewables across the north of Scotland, in a bid to support the country's Net Zero targets.

An SSEN Transmission spokesperson said: “To help deliver UK and Scottish Government energy security and net zero targets, we have been tasked with delivering a series of critical national electricity transmission infrastructure projects across our operating area in the north of Scotland, which are part of a wider upgrade of the transmission network across Great Britian.

"These investments are key to deliver against our national endeavour for a cleaner, more secure and affordable energy system for future generations.

“As a stakeholder-led business, community consultation is a crucial stage of our project development process and for the Kintore-Tealing 400kV project, we continue to consult extensively with impacted local communities, and that consultation has already seen some significant changes made to the projects.

“Responding to feedback received from the first round of consultation in summer 2023 we relocated the previously proposed Fiddes 400kV substation to a new site at Fetteresso Forest (Hurlie).

"And today, after the second consultation round that took place in March, we have announced that we will be actively considering new overhead line alignments that have been proposed by community representatives and landowners, specifically where the overhead line passes Careston, Drumoak and Echt.

“We would like to thank everyone who has kindly taken the time to attend any of our consultation events so far, and those who have provided written feedback.

“We’re continuing to assess all feedback received, which will be carefully considered to help inform the ongoing development of our projects, and a further update will be provided in advance of our next overhead line alignment consultations, which will take place later this year.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "SSEN has not submitted a formal application to the Scottish Government on this proposal.

“Any consenting application submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration is subject to consultation with the public and statutory and local bodies.

“Potential impacts on communities, nature and other valued natural assets or cultural heritage are important considerations in the decision-making process.”