Worker accommodation empty due to paperwork issue

SSEN is building a new sub-station near Finstown in Orkney

A paperwork issue is preventing hundreds of workers from moving into temporary accommodation in Orkney.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is building a new sub-station near Finstown - but its personnel are unable to move into the modular units as a building warrant has yet to be granted.

The workers are to be housed in seven temporary blocks of 43 beds each which have been on site for most of this year but have yet to be occupied.

About 100 people are currently living on site in alternative provision. Both SSEN and Orkney Islands Council said they were working together to get the necessary permissions in place.

The project to build the new sub-station in Orkney will allow the islands to export electricity to the Scottish mainland for the first time.

Currently it creates more renewable energy than it can use.

A new cable to the north coast of mainland Scotland will allow that energy to be fed into the national grid.

The work to install that cable is considerable, with the total value estimated to be close to £1bn with completion scheduled for 2028.

The construction of the new sub-station makes up a sizeable portion of that value, with up to 300 workers expected on site to complete the work.

They will be accommodated in seven blocks of 43 bedrooms each - once permission to live in them is granted by Orkney Islands Council.

Statements from the council and SSEN confirmed that they were working "constructively" on the building warrant application.