This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Public inquiry on power line upgrade
30/08/2006
The proposed upgrade to the overhead electricity transmission line between Beauly and Denny will be referred to a public inquiry, it was announced today.
Reporters appointed by Scottish Ministers will be holding pre-inquiry meetings to explain the process and programme to those who wish to take part in the inquiry.
Meetings will be held in a number of locations along the proposed route, commencing early in October.
It is hoped that the inquiry will start in early 2007 and that the report of the inquiry will be submitted to Ministers by the end of that year for a final decision.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) Limited application is seeking consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 for their proposal for an upgraded 400 kV overhead electricity transmission line between Beauly and Denny.
Besides this authorisation under the Electricity Act, the applicants have further proposals to acquire the necessary land and to construct sub-stations. These components of the development have not yet been referred to Scottish Ministers for decision.
An extensive consultation exercise concluded on 30 April 2006 with over 17000 representations received. The five Planning Authorities within whose boundaries the proposed development falls (Highland Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Stirling Council, Falkirk Council and Cairngorm National Park Authority) have all objected to the application.