MSP and councillor demand measures to better protect Highland communities against plethora of big energy transmission projects
An MSP and a councillor are joining forces to fight for measures to give local communities a stronger voice on a multitude of energy transmission projects proposed for the Highlands.
Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle and Highland councillor Helen Crawford have pledged to work together to press for extra resources to help local people better understand, and assess, the overall scale, number and impact of energy projects in their area.
In June, Cllr Crawford, of the Aird and Loch Ness ward, had a similar motion calling for steps to be taken to encourage fairer community engagement rejected as “not competent” by council convenor Bill Lobban.
Now, she has redrafted the motion which - among a host of demands - calls for real-time live mapping of all energy infrastructure projects and an end to so-called “salami-slicing”.
The latter is the controversial process by which developers submit piecemeal applications, bit by bit, often masking the full scale and impact of developments.
Another call is for proper planning system training to be given to local representatives such as community councillors, who would then be better-placed to advise local communities.
Under UK and Scottish Government plans to decarbonise energy production by 2030, power giant SSEN and a host of other developers are pushing a broad sweep of major projects involving construction of new transmission lines, pylons and other infrastructure across the Highlands.
Some of the proposals have already sparked community protests, with a number of pressure groups formed in an effort to protect the environment and limit industrialisation of green spaces and the countryside.
Cllr Crawford said: “Many local people are becoming alarmed by some of the statements they are hearing from government ministers and others about what may be in store for their area, including my ward of Aird and Loch Ness.
“But it is incredibly difficult for them, or indeed for their local elected representatives such as myself, to get a handle on all the schemes that are being considered. The problem with the planning process is that it considers each proposal as a one-off and too often fails to take account of the cumulative impact of developments.
“This is why I am proposing a motion to Highland Council that will ensure the council invests in a real-time online mapping facility that helps local residents to see all of the proposals that are being mooted, regardless of how far along the planning process they are.
“It will also provide resources for training community councillors in how to respond to planning applications, and will also ensure that the full cumulative environmental impact of these proposals is properly assessed.”
Cllr Crawford understands that her motion will be considered at a full meeting of Highland Council on September 19 and is hopeful that it will be passed after receiving indications of all-party support across the council chamber.
Mr Eagle, in tandem with his work with Cllr Crawford at Highland Council, is submitting a series of parliamentary questions to ministers at Holyrood, requesting provision of the same resources being considered for other communities in Scotland.
The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “Communities across the Highlands and Islands have been in contact with me in the face of a flood of planning applications for massive infrastructure developments in their areas.
“Having now attended some meetings with concerned locals, I am more certain than ever that we need to ensure we get the balance right between communities and developers.
“For this reason, I am supporting Helen’s work on behalf of her constituents but also of people across Scotland who stand to be affected.
“What Helen is proposing for the Highland Council area should be available for people across Scotland, wherever they live.
“Whilst we all want to see investment in rural Scotland and the creation of good local jobs, developments like these should only be allowed after local people have had an opportunity to fully understand and assess what is being proposed.
"Sadly, there have been too many examples of communities being left exhausted and demoralised by incredibly contentious proposals being pushed through without proper scrutiny and without them having an informed say.
“That’s what we need to stop.”
Cllr Crawford added: “I am grateful to Tim Eagle. Frankly this needs to be done across Scotland, not just in Highland.
“It would be good if Highland Council is the first to champion the motion. Other council areas will be watching intently to see what happens on September 19.
“In many parts of the Highlands, we are seeing a significant number of major renewable energy development applications and it’s crucial that the views of the communities directly impacted are fully taken on board.
“They know the land. They live here, and they know how their community functions.
“I have heard from some communities who are confused about what is happening, communities who think it is inevitable, and from communities that are positive about it and want to secure as much community benefit as possible.
“However, I’ve also heard from communities utterly distraught about the possible impact on their way of life, health, jobs, businesses, our Highland landscape and cultural heritage.”
The motion calls for Highland Council’s website to feature real-time online mapping of all applications, including all proposed electricity generation, storage and transmission developments, grid connection, energy generation stations, BESS, and wind farms.
There would be specific planning guidance on ‘salami-slicing’ and specific planning training for community council members from planning experts on major energy infrastructure developments.
There would also be a full review of the actions that Highland Council can legally take to ensure that local community views are considered in the planning process.
Mr Eagle’s parliamentary questions asked if the Scottish Government had given any consideration to establishing real-time mapping of proposed, ongoing and completed energy infrastructure projects.
He is also asking what action it is being taken to end salami-slicing of energy infrastructure projects and what assistance the government can provide to help local authorities train community councillors on planning applications for energy infrastructure projects.
Highland Council has been asked to comment.
