Lines of communication open on SSEN power plan
Power giants SSEN have came up with an alternative route for their new transmission line which would avoid the need to pass even more power lines and pylons through residential areas in Dalmally and Stronmilchan.
Local action group No More Pylons welcomed the news last week but say they will continue to put pressure on SSEN ‘until the blight that is these power lines and pylons is entirely gone from the midst of our village’.
Protesters fear the pylons will risk their health, negatively affect property prices, cause wildlife, tourism and livelihoods to suffer, and have a ‘staggeringly grotesque’ visual impact.
‘It is unjust and wholly unacceptable that in the Scotland of today we should have to live our lives in the shadow of this threat,’ said group spokesperson Lisa Beckett.
The mother of six currently has four children at the village school which has the closest classroom to any pylon in the UK - just 60 metres away.
Ultimately the campaign team and residents would like to see the older generation of pylons taken down and replaced by an underground cable.
‘We welcome the news that SSEN is now proposing an alternative route that bypasses the village, although deeply aggrieved that we have been put into the position of needing to campaign for such an obvious human right in the first place and in spite of the fact that SSE has still not offered any satisfactory explanation as to why more power lines and pylons are necessary in this area at all,’ added Lisa.
‘We are now hopeful that this development heralds a new attitude of concern by SSEN for the wellbeing and safety of everyone in our village, especially our children.
‘While it is not yet the outcome we are aiming for, it is at least an encouraging first step towards a safe future for our community.
The campaign team would like to thank our MSP, Mike Russell, for all his hard work on their behalf.
In 2018 SSEN announced plans to reinforce the transmissions network in North Argyll, including a new overhead cable linking the substation in Stronmilchan with a new substation near Cladich.
Earlier this week (September 1 and 2), SSEN Transmission hosted three online consultation events to engage with the local community on three proposals to connect new generation in Argyll to the transmission system.
Paul McQuillan, SSE Project Manager said: ‘We have been working closely with the local community throughout the development of this project and when we last consulted on the project in 2018 they gave us two clear asks; to explore undergrounding a section of the proposed overhead line and to look at an alternative route. This feedback has been pivotal in shaping the proposals we will be presenting at the virtual consultation events.
A brochure outlining the proposals has been sent to all affected residents who have been invited to make their voices heard via phone, letter or email.
‘We are keen to hear from as many people as possible on the three proposals and would encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more to get in touch.’ added Mr McQuillan.
The existing transmission lines that run through the village are owned by Scottish Power Energy Networks.
To find out more about the proposal visit the project page at www. ssen-transmission.co.uk/ projects/creag-dhubh-dalmally-275kv-connection or contact Community Liaison Manager Kelly Scott at Kelly. Scott@sse.com