Mum wins battle for SSEN compensation
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A SUTHERLAND woman looks to have won her long battle for thousands of pounds of compensation from electricity giant SSEN after it upgraded power lines across her croft.
The row centres on Stacie MacDonald's 16-acre home at Rhinamain near Bonar Bridge.
When she moved in 14 years ago, there was a four cable line carrying electricity from Dounreay that she understood would be removed.
But about six years ago, the line, which is less than 50 feet from the mother-of-two's home, was upgraded to seven cables.
Miss MacDonald (40), who is also registered disabled, says her life has become "intolerable" from the line's noise and that her croft has been devalued by £40,000.
Miss MacDonald said: "I bought the house in 2004 and was told at that time it was likely the line would be removed when the power station was closed. Then the wind farms happened and instead, it was strung on the other side.
"The noise of the lines is so loud through our double glazing that I cannot sleep at night. Sometimes we have to turn up the TV to hear it over the lines.
"The magnetic field causes electric current in our electric fencing even when it's turned off.
"Guests at our glamping huts – the only thing I can reasonably now do with my land as I can not croft it agriculturally – often complain about the noise at night and we do not get return trade.
"I tried to sell the house and get away from them but the effect of them running right across the front of my house and my view has devalued my house to the tune of £20,000 and my land to the tune of £40,000."
Miss MacDonald started a compensation claim with SSE 16 months ago, but claimed the company "have mishandled it".
She said: "They came back to me saying they won't compensate me for any of this, and they will issue a wayleave – £28 I believe – and if I refuse to sign it they will do a necessary wayleave and force me. So I felt I was being bullied."
After the Northern Times contacted SSE, Miss MacDonald received a "five figure" compensation offer.
She said: "They have made me an offer of compensation that I need to discuss with my lawyer before accepting.
"I am very pleased that the validity of my claim has been accepted but disappointed I had to go through the lengths I did. I can't thank the Northern Times enough for their efforts."
A spokesperson from SSEN said: "As a responsible developer, SSEN has been engaging with the local landowner to address the concerns raised and discussions are ongoing to agree a suitable resolution."
