Sutherland community councils join forces over 'super pylon' line with public meeting planned
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Representatives of SSEN are to meet with three East Sutherland community councils later this month to discuss controversial plans for a new high-voltage pylon line running from Spittal to Beauly.
Since the proposals were unveiled in early March, there has been widespread opposition to routes chosen for the 57-metre high "super pylons" with opponents primarily concerned over the impact on the landscape.
SSEN has also come under considerable fire over its “inadequate” public consultation and the short timescale given to make representations.
Brora community councillor Diana Royce said Brora, Helmsdale and Golspie community councils were linking together to hold a public meeting in Brora in the week beginning May 22 – a firm date has yet to be fixed.
RELATED
Crofters, landowners and residents signal opposition to super pylons in Helmsdale district
'Work with us' - Community councils' plea to SSEN over 'super pylons'
Culrain to hold 'urgent ' community meeting as alarm grows over super pylons
“This is the meeting when we will be able to judge whether there is any real flexibility in SSEN’s plans,” she said. “As soon as we have a date for this meeting, then we will get the information out to the communities and hopefully people will want to come and we will see what happens.”
Golspie Community Council has posted a copy of a letter it has sent to SSEN on its Facebook page.
Meanwhile Lyndsey Ward of opposition group Communities B4 Power Companies addressed a meeting of the newly established Pylon Pressure to STOP SSEN group at Helmsdale on Sunday. Pylon Pressure represents residents in the wider Helmsdale area.
Afterwards newly elected group chairwoman Ruth Whittaker said: "It was unanimously agreed that SSEN's proposals were a totally unnecessary land grab disguised as essential 'transmission reinforcement' for the real purpose of further enriching its shareholders."
A representative of Garbh Allt Community Initiative said the group had also written to SSEN.
A delegation from Culrain, where opposition to the line is high, attended a meeting of Creich Community Council last week in a bid to persuade the group to join an opposition forum. Among those present was Carbisdale Castle owner Samantha Kane. Residents were disappointed to learn that the meeting was not quorate and no decision could be taken.
However the Northern Times has since learned that community council members have taken the decision to join the forum, now numbering 27 community councils and chaired by Ron McAulay, Strathpeffer.
