Lord Lovat, Clan Fraser chief, seeking clarification from Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) on size of controversial substation plan near Beauly
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A clan chief has expressed “surprise” at a power giant’s apparent enlargement of controversial plans to build an electricity substation on his ancient lands.
Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is seeking planning consent for the vast facility at Fanellan, near Kiltarlity, which lies on Lovat Estates near Beauly.
The project would form a vital component in SSEN’s broader £7 billion ‘pathway to 2030’ upgrade of UK energy infrastructure in the north of Scotland.
Major power substation site's size horrifies Highland residents
The sheer scale of the substation proposal, covering a building area the size of 35 football pitches, shocked local residents when first unveiled a year ago.
The development would be connected by a 400 kilovolt (kV) overhead super-pylon power line connecting Spittal in Caithness to Beauly, via Sutherland, then stretching east to Peterhead.
Developers say the project would play a vital role in linking existing and future green energy projects to the national grid.
EXPLAINED: Why are Highland communities protesting about super-pylons?
Lovat Estates has managed the assets of Clan Fraser chiefs since the 13th century, with the current chief Simon Fraser, the 18th Lord Lovat, now the 25th head of the clan.
We approached Lord Lovat for comment and a spokesman for Lovat Estates responded on his behalf: “The estate has a policy of not commenting on any ongoing negotiations, except to say we were surprised to see the widened boundary on the plan.
“We believe the proposed substation footprint has not increased and the area represents ancillary works.
“We await more details from SSEN.”
The representative declined to comment further when asked if Lord Lovat would be seeking assurances there would be no future attempts to further industrialise land within the new boundary area.
Campaign group Communities B4 Power Companies, fighting to block the building of the substation and super-pylons that would cut a swathe through the community, says the project’s new footprint is 14 times larger than the area consulted on last year.
A proposal of application notice (PAN) lodged with Highland Council by SSEN now shows a development area spanning more than 860 acres (350 hectares), rather than the 60 acres outlined last year.
They had already branded the substation proposal “a monstrosity”, raising fears that the project would destroy the local environment by “industrialising the countryside”, bringing health issues.
But SSEN says there have not been any significant changes to its plans, with many of the elements only temporarily in place during the construction phase.
It said the design of the site was aimed at reducing the effect on nearby residents and minimising the visual impact on the area.
