Angus councillors vote to oppose 'super-pylon' project

A close up of the top of an electricity pylon taken from belowGetty Images

Angus councillors have opposed a controversial multi-million pound "super-pylon" project, with one branding it "a colossal act of vandalism."

Energy firm SSEN has lodged plans with the Scottish government for the overhead line scheme, which would see pylons erected along a 66-mile (106km) route between Kintore in Aberdeenshire and Tealing in Angus.

SSEN says the scheme is a key component of its wider £22bn Pathway to 2030 investment programme.

A motion by Angus Council leader George Meechan to object to the plan was unanimously backed by councillors, a move which could force a public inquiry.

Graphic showing height comparisons of a two-storey house and various SSEN pylons. Title: How tall will new Kintore-Tealing pylons be? House is 7 metres, standard heights of most common SSEN pylons are 26 metres, 38 metres and 46 metres. And then the new pylons will have an average height of 57 metres - with some being 75 metres high.

The Scottish government will ultimately decide on the application.

The steel towers will typically be 187ft (57m) high - significantly taller than most pylons in Scotland - and some could be as high as 246ft (75m).

Statutory consultees, including councils, were given two months to give their responses to the application

In a report which went before councillors on Monday, local authority planning bosses had recommended the proposal should, on balance, not be opposed.

During the council meeting, a raft of deputations objecting to the proposals were heard in the council chamber.

Among those calling for councillors to oppose the development was local resident Lesley Joiner.

She said: "We are being asked to live not beside but almost under the line of pylons.

"The proposed structures will be overwhelming and will change our landscape immeasurably."

However, SSEN representative Jackie Taylor said the scheme would be a "catalyst for employment, business growth and clean infrastructure development".

Council leader George Meechan lodged a motion calling for on the local authority to object to the proposals.

He said the scheme failed to meet the local development plan or national planning policy.

SNP councillor Chris Beattie added: "I hope the public have been reassured that while we've been limited on what we were allowed to say over the last two and a half years, we have been listening.

"Personally, I think that this is an act of vandalism on a colossal scale."

Mr Meechan's motion was was unanimously backed by councillors.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Liam Rutherford.

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