Pylon campaigners lodge petition to Scottish Government calling for improved consultation

A petition has been lodged to the Scottish Parliament to improve the consultation on 'super pylons' planned for the north east.

Campaign groups across Aberdeenshire and Angus fighting against the proposals claim SSEN's consultation process has been 'insufficient' and 'rushed'.

SSEN's Kintore to Tealing 400kV project has been 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.

The line of 'super pylons' spanning up to 55 metres tall would stretch 66 miles through Aberdeenshire and Angus and residents have expressed worry of the electricity lines disrupting the countryside.

The electricity company changed the route back in December , relocating the substation from Fiddes to Fetteresso Forest and changing the route of the overhead power lines.

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

She said people have been leaving some consultation events crying: "People are very upset in the area and they’re leaving consultations in tears because SSEN staff either refuse to answer a question - say they don’t know the answer or say sorry ‘that’s just going to happen’.

“This is people’s lives and livelihood.”

Tracy also claimed brochures and letters sent to affected addresses have asked people to scan a barcode which has not been included on the leaflet or if it has, it will lead to a different project elsewhere in the country.

“The misinformation – continuous misinformation – leads people to actually think that if they receive something from SSEN they can just ignore it because it’s not relevant to them, it looks like a mistake.” She added.

Now, the petition for an improved consultation process has almost 550 signatures and is under consideration.

Tracy continued: “The consultation I would have liked to have seen is a fully meaningful consultation by SSEN where they give proper notice of consultation events where they actually engage with the community and answer questions.”

Save Our Mearns, along with Angus Against Pylons and Deeside Against Pylons plan to rally outside the Scottish Parliament on 2 May.

A spokesperson for SSEN Transmission said: “We recently hosted series of engagement events inviting feedback on proposed transmission infrastructure schemes in the north of Scotland, including the Kintore to Tealing overhead line project, and wish to thank all those who took the time to attend and have provided feedback so far.

“We remain committed to working closely with the local community and stakeholders throughout the development of this project.

"The feedback window is still open, and we would encourage anyone who wants to share their view to get in touch.”