By Mike Donachie

THE ELECTRICITY group behind a high-tech plan to replace electricity lines running through Perthshire has pledged to listen to all residents as disquiet on their designs grows.

Residents in a line down the centre of the county—and for many miles to its north and south—will be affected by the creation of a 400,000-volt overhead line running 140 miles between Denny in Stirlingshire and Beauly near Inverness.

Consultation has been carried out by the company responsible, Scottish and Southern Energy, the parent company of Scottish Hydro-Electric, but some residents claim to have been unaware it was happening.

Braco has already seen the launch of a campaign, including a petition demanding the design is altered to take the power line away from the village.

Local MSP Roseanna Cunningham last week took up the case, and now Annabelle Ewing, Perth’s MP, and Green list MSP Mark Ruskell have followed.

Comrie resident Fiona McLaren also contacted The Courier to insist more light is shed on the “national issue,” claiming it would have serious economic, environmental and health implications for Scotland.

She said, “Tourism is our major industry in Scotland and that’s based on visual impact of our magnificent scenery, which is going to be irreparably damaged by pylons which are approximately the size of the Statue of Liberty marching across our scenic areas.

“This isn’t just a ‘not in my back yard’ issue—this is ‘not in Scotland.’ ”

As well as claiming many of those affected have not been consulted, she expressed concerns about the health implications of the new pylons, talking of possible links with cancers and depression.

In addition, the potential for changes to the preferred route—largely along existing power lines past Tummel Bridge and Crieff—could see a host of new areas spoiled, she said.

The opposition to the plans was widespread, Annabelle Ewing said, after visiting objectors in the Braco area.

She said, “These concerns range from health and safety issues, impact on local businesses and jobs, environmental considerations and visual impact and tourism.

“I have written to Scottish and Southern to set out these concerns and to urge them to further consult with local people on site to find an acceptable solution.

“This is supposed to be a consultation on draft proposals and I have requested a meeting with SSE to discuss the concerns raised, with a view to finding a satisfactory solution for the whole area.”

Mark Ruskell MSP expressed support for the essential upgrade of the line, but encouraged communities to express views before any planning application is drawn up.

Mr Ruskell said, “Scottish and Southern have been very open with communities about the proposed route and have been offering community councils follow-up meetings about controversial sections of the line.

“I would encourage communities to keep talking to them to get any real problems sorted out now before the planning application is worked up.”

However, he warned against arguments that suggest the entire length of the line should be hidden underground.

He added, “Like most people I don’t like the look of large pylons, but if the entire line was to be buried underground it would cause large-scale environmental damage.

“The route of the line is what communities need to focus on—it needs to be a very safe distance away from dwellings while taking into consideration landscape and other environmental considerations.”

Local Green activists also expressed “relief” that SSE was willing to continue to consult, even though its consultation period ended on Friday.

A spokeswoman for the company said its consultation was widely advertised.

Scottish and Southern understood the concerns, she continued, and a consultant looking into issues such as proximity to homes and environmental impact was part of efforts to find “the best balance.”

She said, “We’re never going to be able to make the changes that everyone asks of us but we do promise people that we’ll consider all their concerns and suggestions.

“We’re trying to come up with the best solution for everybody.”

Full details of the plans—and maps of the various alternatives—are available in the news section of the company’s website, www. scottish-southernenergy.co.uk