Tummel landscaping plan

A Perth-based energy giant has submitted an application to improve the scenery at its Loch Tummel site.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) submitted their application to the watchdog Ofgem earlier this week with their plans to reduce the visual impact of existing transmission infrastructure at the Highland Perthshire loch.

Ofgem has administered a £500 million fund for British electricity transmission owners to mitigate the impact their infrastructure has on national parks and national scenic areas.

SSEN plans to take forward a number of engineering and landscaping projects across its network using this fund, in a project called VISTA (Visual Impact of Scottish Transmission Assets).

The plans for redeveloping the Loch Tummel site is SSEN’s first VISTA application.

SSEN plans to paint its transmission tower as well as plant trees and landscape the scenic area. The energy giant has consulted with landowners and stakeholders on the proposal which will improve the visual amenity of the Tummel Valley, including areas that can be seen from the popular Queen’s View.

Euan Smith, who is leading SSEN’s project VISTA, said: “VISTA offers a unique opportunity to look again at our existing transmission assets and mitigate their impact in some of Scotland’s most precious landscapes.

“Following engagement with key stakeholders over the past two years, we have selected six projects to progress under our VISTA work stream, and the submission of our first application to Ofgem for the Loch Tummel proposals marks an important milestone in this process.”

SSEN is expected to submit further applications for funding for landscaping proposals in Loch Rannoch later this year, as well as two engineering proposals in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and two in the Cairngorms National Park.