Residents living within 500 meters of new pylons throughout Britain will receive discounts on their electricity bills of up to £2,500 over a span of 10 years, according to plans being presented at Westminster today.
In addition to the bill reductions, new guidelines will specify how developers should ensure that communities hosting transmission infrastructure can benefit by financing initiatives such as sports clubs, educational programs, or leisure facilities.
New community funding guidelines indicate that communities could receive £200,000 in funding per km of overhead electricity cable in their vicinity, and £530,000 for each substation.
As a result, local N-E projects like SSEN Transmission’s power line connecting Tealing and Kintore in Aberdeenshire could provide local communities with over £23 million in funding.
Developers will engage in thorough consultations with eligible communities regarding the funds and the most effective ways to allocate them.
However, anti-pylon activists such as Kate Matthews from Auchenblae contend that the proposals overlook the larger issues facing communities near new pylons – some of which could reach heights of 246 feet.
The Save Our Mearns campaigner told the P&J: “This offer mocks residents facing financial ruin if the pylons go ahead and shows Labour’s complete failure to grasp the complex socio-economic issues facing communities and businesses impacted by the proposed infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative shadow energy and net zero secretary, and North East MSP Douglas Lumsden said: “This insulting consolation will do little to compensate for the loss of value to properties negatively impacted by pylon developments.
“These pylon schemes are causing significant financial hardship to those who own homes along many of these routes, with some constituents already seeing their properties devalued by more than 10%.
“A feeble discount of up to £250 each year is a drop in the ocean when it comes to living next to these towering power lines.
“Rather than trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes, both Labour and the SNP should ensure the voices of residents are heard during the planning process instead of ignoring them.”
Jean Morrison, chair of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG). also commented:
“AREG welcomes the UK Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill as a positive step towards accelerating the delivery of essential renewable infrastructure. The much-needed streamlining of planning processes for clean energy projects is crucial in meeting our net-zero goals and securing the country’s position as a global renewable energy leader.
The focus on cutting delays and prioritising the rapid deployment of renewable energy projects for grid connections will enable us to unlock growth potential. The ‘first ready, first connected’ system is fairer and will focus minds on those projects that can be producing more rapidly.
It’s important that we engage openly with communities and treat them with respect so it’s only right that those affected by pylons and other infrastructure benefit from the projects being delivered in their neighbourhoods.
We have too many ‘stuck’ projects, so it is encouraging that more action will be taken to throw out meritless legal challenges, which serve to bring progress to a halt. However, as we fast-track projects, it’s important we don’t compromise on environmental integrity. The introduction of a Nature Restoration Fund is a positive development, ensuring that the ecological needs of our landscapes are respected alongside the drive for industrial growth.”
The plans are part of The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner states will “unleash seismic reforms” o help position Britain as a leader in clean energy.
The bill also proposes updates to the outdated planning regulations for electricity infrastructure in Scotland, aiming to streamline the consent process for quicker decision-making.
