Caithness power hub approved despite community concerns
Planning permission has been granted for the Banniskirk Hub near Thurso
- Published
A controversial electricity sub station proposed for a site in Caithness has been approved by Highland councillors despite community concerns.
Energy company SSEN Transmission says its Banniskirk Hub at Spittal, near Thurso, would help distributing power generated by offshore wind farms.
But councillors heard at a meeting on Wednesday that local residents feared the site would overwhelm their "small but mighty community".
Highland Council's north planning applications committee agreed with planners' recommendations to grant permission, but they added several conditions.
The meeting heard from SSEN Transmission and opponents of the project.
Residents said children in Spittal faced growing up on a "construction site".
The committee said it would lose control over the planning application if it refused permission, or deferred making a decision, because it would then go to the Scottish government for consideration.
Liberal Democrat councillor Angela MacLean said she had concerns over the impact of the plan on the wellbeing of local families.
Following the meeting, SSEN Transmission director of development Alison Hall welcomed the committee's decision.
She said: "Today's decision marks an important milestone in delivering UK and Scottish government clean energy and energy security targets – creating a hub for projects that will help build a cleaner, more secure, and affordable electricity system for generations to come."
SSEN is investing £22bn into the electricty network
Banniskirk Hub would connect to the proposed 400kV overhead line between Spittal and Beauly, as well as the existing Spittal 275kV Substation.
The hub forms part of Perth-headquartered SSEN Transmission's £22bn investment to transform the electricity network in the north of Scotland.
SSEN said the project would deliver local benefits, including new housing and jobs, along with over £1m in community benefit funding.
Additional reporting by local democracy journalist Olivia Andrews.