Property price drop fears for residents by pylons

HOMEOWNERS along the route of a line of 400kV super-pylons through Angus and Aberdeenshire could stand to lose £1 million a mile in property values.

The forecast by consultants Galbraith comes amid concerns some house sales have already fallen through because potential buyers do not want to live near the power lines.

But the power giant has challenged the figure, saying it has seen no “clear, objective evidence” of the claims.

It comes as Angus campaigners revealed up to 20 people a day are joining a group fighting the SSEN scheme.

The Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line project is part of SSEN’s multi-billionpound Pathway to 2030 infrastructure development programme.

Communities along the route say it will lead to pylons up to 75 metres high which will destroy the natural landscape.

And a leading Galbraith figure predicts it will be at huge financial cost to folk living in the shadow of the towers.

Consultant Ian Thornton-Kemsley said: “Our agency department are already aware of a number of sales affected by the announcement of the pylons in the vicinity.”

He addressed a weekend public meeting of more than 200 people organised by Angus Pylon Action Group in Forfar.

An initial Galbraith study of a section of the line, comprising 21 houses over one mile, estimates the capital value at about £10m.

The firm said that while individual properties were not assessed, there could be at least a 10% devaluation of affected property – more in some instances.

Cases in the Lands Tribunal for Scotland suggest reductions of between 10% and 30% in property values arising from new pylon lines.

Mr Thornton-Kemsley warned the position is potentially worse for borrowers, who could be at risk if the value of their home shrinks below the mortgage balance owed.