MSP calls on energy giant to change Tarbert plans
Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell has written to Scottish and Southern Energy asking the company to seek a variation to consent for a new high voltage power line passing close to Tarbert.
Mr Russell’s move came after a recent meeting of Tarbert and Skipness Community
Council, at which representatives of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) were present. Despite offers from the company to undertake landscape mitigation, feeling against the proposal remains widespread and strong.
Mr Russell said: ‘I have received numerous representations from members of the community in Tarbert following the Tarbert and Skipness Community Council meeting on November 14, and it is obvious to me that the community remains strongly opposed to the planned route and sceptical at the ability of
SSE to make environmental changes to the present route which would resolve the severe landscape and visual impacts.
‘I have met with the company to discuss these issues and have discussed them previously with the community. I know the company is doing its best but there is no way that these plans would do anything other than scar the landscape and damage the community.
‘Everyone accepts that due to a problem in the consultation process and through no fault of the community there were opportunities missed to present the strong opposition to these plans before consent was granted but that does not absolve SSE of the responsibility to listen to, and act upon, such intense local feeling
‘I have now asked, as has the community, for SSE to seek a formal variation to the consent in order to alter the line, and preferably to put it underground at the most sensitive spot. I am now awaiting a response from SSE so that I, along with the community, can take this forward.’