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Question Time
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport
Beauly to Denny Power Line
To ask the Scottish
Executive what factors it will take into account in determining whether
a public inquiry will be held into the planning application by Scottish
and Southern Energy plc for the 400kV Beauly to Denny power line.
(S2O-7969)
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it will take into account in
determining whether a public inquiry will be held into the planning
application by Scottish and Southern Energy plc for the 400kV Beauly to
Denny power line.
(S2O-7969)
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
If a relevant planning authority objects to an application, and if its
concerns cannot be met by modifications or conditions, the Scottish
ministers will refer the application to a public enquiry. Alternatively,
the Scottish ministers have the discretion to refer the matter to a
public inquiry if they consider it appropriate to do so after
consideration of any objections and other material considerations.
Murdo Fraser:
I am grateful to the minister for that comprehensive response. He should
be aware of widespread concern in Perthshire and Stirling about the size
of the new power line and about the visual intrusion that it would
present in an area that is highly dependent on tourism for its income.
He should also be aware of the specific concerns about the routing of
the line and its proximity to dwellings and communities such as Crieff.
Would the minister agree that, in order to allow a proper airing of all
those issues, it is essential that a public inquiry be held into the
planning application?
Allan Wilson:
The applicants submitted their formal application only on 27 September.
There is a statutory obligation on them to advertise for two successive
weeks in one or more locally circulated newspapers in the areas through
which the proposed line will pass. It will pass through four local
authority areas and, in the present case, the relevant notices have been
placed. Consultations have been published, and the public are invited to
make representations — that includes Murdo Fraser's good self. Those
representations will be considered by 12 December. In that context, and
in the context of my previous reply, it would be inappropriate for me to
pre-empt the consultation and to say that the proposals should or should
not go to public inquiry.
Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP):
As the minister must know, many members have received a great deal of
correspondence on the issue. Some concerns have been taken on board by
SSE, but some have not. In advance of any potential public inquiry, will
the minister advise us about any
communication that has taken place between his office and SSE regarding
the possibilities for undergrounding at least some of the more
environmentally sensitive sections of the proposed line?
Allan Wilson:
The important point is that Scotland needs an upgrade in its electricity
transmission and distribution network, a point that was made by Roseanna
Cunningham's colleague, Rob Gibson, just a few minutes ago. We wish not
simply to achieve our renewables targets but to ensure that there is
benefit from an upgraded grid.
The undergrounding of all or part of the proposed line will be
considered as part of the appraisal of the application, to which I
referred. It is important to mention that there are significantly higher
costs involved in running cables underground or via subsea links, to
which Rob Gibson referred. The costs involved in that would be passed on
to consumers, so there is a balance to be struck. I was being pressed by
the Conservative party this morning to reduce
electricity prices. This afternoon, it is being suggested that I do
otherwise.
I am aware of the concerns, all of which will be considered as part of
the appraisal process, as is required of the local authorities that are
involved. The authorities will be in touch with the applicants in that
regard.
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
As the minister will know, a great number of letters of objection were
sent to the energy consents unit prior to the 28 September submission
date. That was because of confusion over information that was given on
the Scottish and Southern Energy website. Given that the issue is
important, will the minister clarify as soon as possible whether those
letters will be sent back by the consents unit if they are asked for,
whether they can now be resubmitted and whether standard letters dated
prior to 28 September can also be submitted?
Allan Wilson:
Yes. I will clarify that for the member this afternoon.
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