By Mark Mackay

CONTROVERSIAL PLANS for a 134-mile pylon chain that could change the face of some of Perthshire’s most picturesque rural communities have taken a step forward.

Scottish and Southern Energy is submitting a planning application for the route of the Beauly to Denny overhead power line.

The group—the parent company of Scottish Hydro-Electric—says the line is necessary to help it draw power from proposed wind farms.

It is also designed to ensure it can meet targets set by Westminster and the EU to increase the proportion of electricity generated by “green means” to 18% by 2010.

The plan will replace a 132,000 volt (132kV) overhead transmission line with a 400kV line.

The Cairngorms Revolt Against Pylons group said the proposal—to be submitted in planning applications to the Scottish Executive within weeks—“rode roughshod” over the concerns of residents and visitors.

The campaigners also urged the Cairngorms National Park Authority to oppose the development, accusing it of doing little so far.

The authority said it could not comment in detail at this stage but expressed disappointment that no part of the route would pass underground.

The line would be supported by around 600 pylons—some 200 fewer than the one it will replace, according to SSE.

But the pylons would be up to 65 metres tall, compared with a maximum height of 41 metres on the existing line.

SSE chief operating officer Colin Hood said, “Publishing this proposed route is an important step forward in our plans to modernise Scotland’s electricity network and so facilitate the growth of renewable energy.

“Throughout the process of public consultation we have undertaken, we have been working to ensure we select the optimum route for the replacement line, recognising the concerns of local communities and based on environmental and technical studies of a high standard.

“We believe we have achieved this goal.”

But campaigners’ spokesman Jamie Grant said the route unveiled yesterday was “virtually unchanged” from that proposed in January 2004.

He said the development would be “totally contradictory” to two key aims of the national park—to conserve and enhance the area’s natural heritage and to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s community.

“The new power line will desecrate one of Europe’s last wildernesses and have a potentially disastrous knock-on effect for the fragile Highland economy, which depends on tourism for its survival,” Mr Grant said.

He criticised the park authority, saying, “Despite being responsible for the management of the UK’s largest national park, their statements so far on the biggest threat to the park’s future have been confused and contradictory.”

However, an authority spokeswoman said, “The park authority is still opposed to the power line going through the national park and express our disappointment that the proposals do not include under-grounding.

“The CNPA is a statutory consultee and as such it would be inappropriate to comment fully on these proposals until we are asked officially by the Executive.”

SSE said the route would result in a reduction in the length of the line and in the number of pylons going through the national park.

There would be 17 miles of line in the park, supported by 76 pylons, compared with 22 miles and 128 pylons now, a spokesman said.

He added, “The proposed route is on the boundary of the national park and avoids settlements and popular tourist routes as far as possible.”

The plans have stirred up a hornets nest in a number of communities. Residents have raised a host of concerns and have sought assurances that the pylons will pose no health risk.

There are also fears the line will harm the visual amenity of many communities, including Muthill, which is a designated outstanding conservation area—one of only a handful in Perthshire.

It will also pass through areas of great landscape and environmental value as it heads south, across Sheriffmuir, over the Ochils escarpment and close to the Wallace Monument.

Perth SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said the announcement marked only the beginning of the process, and there was still plenty of time for locals to register opinions.

She also said SSE had shown a willingness to listen and respond to concerns.

Ochil MSP George Reid said many of his constituents would react with anger and dismay.

Mr Reid said ministers should reflect “long and hard” on residents’ concerns, and he has asked SSE to extend the 28-day period to lodge objections—which should be directed to the Scottish Executive.