COUNCILLORS are asked to support SSEN’s proposals for a new substation in Fetteresso Forest when they convene next week at a special meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee.
The substation is deemed a national development by the Scottish Government in our National Planning Framework 4, NPF4, adopted in February 2023. It is further backed by NPF4 Policy 11 which supports all renewable energy projects and enabling infrastructure unless there are unacceptable significant adverse impacts.
The meeting at Viewmount on Tuesday follows a pre-determination hearing last November. While the Area Committee is now being consulted, it is the Infrastructure Services Committee who will determine the application later in the month.
Huge local opposition
SSEN, through Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc, is seeking full planning permission for the construction and operation of a 400 kV air insulated substation at Hurlie along with associated works. The 292ha site sits 4.9km west of Stonehaven in an ‘accessible rural area’. A range of buildings would be constructed on a 685m by 300m substation platform excavated into the slope.
A total of 2,318 representations have been received – eight in support of the application, 2,308 objecting and two neutral. Among a list of community councils objecting is Stonehaven and District Community Council, who cite concerns regarding visual impact, loss of amenity, damage to roads infrastructure during construction and potential flooding within Stonehaven.
A National development and supported by policy
The substation and the proposed Kintore to Tealing 400 kV overhead transmission line (OHL), are designed to transmit large scale offshore windpower to areas of demand.
The report to the Committee states: ”It is not for the Council to determine the need, importance or usefulness of the proposed development. Inclusion within NPF4 National Development 3: Strategic Renewable Electricity Generation and Transmission Infrastructure, effectively settles the need for the development.”
And in the 90 page document, the discussion of all the impacts and mitigations concludes: ”The negatives of the proposal are outweighed by the benefits of the proposal to upgrade the transmission network to facilitate future renewable energy connections, connections to the wider network and to contribute to the Scottish Government’s net zero targets.”
The officer’s recommendation to the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee is they agree the application is referred to the Infrastructure Services Committee for determination and confirm their support for the application subject to a series of conditions.
The full report is available online
Please note this meeting has been changed to online only. It is intended to provide a livestream of the meeting if power and connection allow. If this is not possible, a recording will be published following the conclusion of the meeting.
The link to the livestream is on the Agenda page above.