A North East-based petition aimed at forcing energy transmission firms to hold “meaningful” public consultations took a step forward at Holyrood, Wednesday, 11 September.
SSEN Transmission is planning a “super-pylon” and substation route between Kintore in Aberdeenshire and Tealing in Angus.
The 70-mile, 400kV line will contribute to the Scottish Government’s 2030 carbon net zero road map — but the level of public involvement has been criticised by campaigners, and described by one MSP as “hopelessly inadequate”.
Their petition, backed by more than 3,300 people, went before a Scottish Parliament committee for the first time today.
Launched by the co-founder of Save Our Mearns, Tracey Smith, the petition followed a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in May, attended by campaigners from across Scotland.
Addressing the committee, North East region MSP Tess White said residents along the Kintore to Tealing route did not feel like there was “a just transition”.
And SNP MSP Fergus Ewing agreed the seven-day notice period for community consultations required by Scottish planning law is “hopelessly inadequate”.
Scottish Conservative Ms White said: “I have received more correspondence on SSEN’s plans for a new 400kV pylon route from Kintore to Tealing than on any other issue.
“SSEN’s consultation has been described as ‘pitifully wanting’ and engagement events as ‘box-ticking exercises’.
“Residents have repeatedly red flagged incorrect information. Entire communities feel disenfranchised and distrusting of a process that seems like a done deal.
“But this isn’t just about the way that SSEN has conducted the consultation. This is about consultation as part of the consenting process for new transmission infrastructure, which we know is set to increase dramatically over the coming years.
“Affected communities just don’t believe the Scottish Government is listening. Ministers have been paying lip service to the importance of communities in policy-making, but my constituents have felt sidelined and ignored…
“For my north-east constituents, this is far from a ‘just transition’. Their voices must be heard and the system must change.”
