By Eric Nicolson

THE 400kv Beauly to Denny power line, which takes in parts of Perthshire, should be referred to a public inquiry, an MSP has insisted.

Mid-Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the Scottish Executive to hold the inquiry into the planning application by Scottish and Southern Energy.

Mr Fraser has asked the deputy enterprise minister Allan Wilson what factors the Executive will take into account in determining whether or not one will be held.

Scottish and Southern Energy is proposing the construction of the power line along a similar path to the existing one.

However, the visual impact of the new pylons will be much greater than the current system, as the pylons will be almost twice the size of the existing structures.

It is estimated that construction of the proposed power line will take up to three years, but many residents are opposed to it.

Mr Fraser challenged the minister on the subject in the Scottish Parliament, saying, “There is widespread concern among local residents in Perthshire and Stirling on the proposed new power line with the visual impact of the pylons, which are twice the size of the existing ones, affecting an area heavily dependent on tourism.

“Furthermore, there are detailed concerns about the route of the new power line where it passes close to dwellings and communities such as Crieff. Therefore, does the minister agree with me that a public inquiry must be held on the planning application to allow all issues to be properly considered?”

Mr Wilson responded, “The application was submitted on September 27 and there is a statutory obligation to advertise in local media for two weeks to inform residents of the proposals.

“As this proposed line goes across four local authority boundaries, there is much effort to ensure enough notices state representations can be submitted until December 12. It would be inappropriate of me to pre-empt the consultation and say whether this should or should not go to a public inquiry.”

Unsatisfied, Mr Fraser added, “I recently met councillors and local residents on the proposed line near Crieff and I know that many local residents are strongly against this new power line.

“I am greatly concerned about the visual impact this will have in our area and the scale of the pylons. The tourism industry is so important to Perthshire and it will be put at risk if this power line gets the go-ahead.

“Furthermore, the damage it will cause to the local environment as well as the possible health risks for people who will have to live nearby the power line are important issues that must be considered.”

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham, meanwhile, raised with the minister the possibility of “undergrounding” at least some of the more environmentally sensitive sections of the route.

She said, “The minister did promise that undergrounding will be considered—but warned that it involves higher costs which would be passed on to consumers. I think most of us could have guessed that would be the case but the fact is sometimes the cheapest option is not the best one for the long term.”