Proposed substation at Lairg 'will be highly visible'
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A Sutherland community has lost its battle to halt the construction of a massive electrical substation and associated overhead pylons.
Highland Council passed the development planned for the area between Lairg and Loch Buidhe on the second time of asking, having earlier deferred the matter due to poor visualisations of the project.
The plan that was passed will see the construction of the 240m by 120m substation and associated infrastructure along with laying of up to 66 new pylons to take electricity produced by established wind farms and hydro schemes as well as anticipated developments.
Locals who have fought the plans for six years were able to secure important concessions from SSE Transmission which will have to create a foot and cycle path for the construction period.
Many are against the development, fearing that it would be a blot on the landscape and would
damage the tourist potential of the area.
Others were also concerned about traffic safety as there will be a rise in the number of HGVs on the road during construction.
Dalchork substation is less than two miles from Lairg and lies along a single-track road that is used not just by locals but also tourists.
Two of the campaigners, Alasdair Marshall and Emma Armstrong, voiced their concerns at the special meeting of the full Highland Council.
Mrs Armstrong said: “I just want you all to really think about the impact that this substation and pylon line will have in its current proposed form on the tiny crofting community of Lairg.
“The pylon line is going to be on the top of the hills that ring the village and the substation is going to be highly visible. And it is very, very, very close to people’s quiet rural properties.”
Mr Marshall said: “The accumulative effect in my rural location is too much for the area that I live in. But my main concerns at the first meeting were the safety of the residents during construction and the effect on the road infrastructure just to the north of Lairg, around the bends around the side of the loch
“At no point in the planning application by SSE has anybody considered that – their only consideration has been for the junction point where the site joins the road.
“There is new evidence that I have read within the agenda as presented by SSE that shows the total number of HGVs would be a burden within the village of Lairg.”
A spokesman for SSE Transmission said: “As a responsible developer, we are committed to doing all we can to minimise the impact of construction on the local community.
“We look forward to setting up a community liaison group to help us manage all local impacts during the construction phase.”
