ScottishPower has published ‘The Stirling Visual Impact Mitigation Scheme Consultation Report’, outlining its visual and landscape mitigation proposals for a 14km section of the consented Beauly to Denny overhead transmission line.

In total, ScottishPower is constructing 20km of the 220km Beauly to Denny power line. In January 2010, following Scotland’s longest public inquiry, Scottish Ministers granted consent for the proposed overhead transmission line. A condition was attached to the consent whereby ScottishPower was asked to submit a visual and landscape scheme for two sections of the consented line.

The publication of the report also signals the start of a voluntary community consultation period which will run for 30 working days. This is in addition to both the formal consultation required by the condition placed on the overhead line consent and the engagement which has already taken place through the Stirling Council Beauly to Denny Steering Group.

The Report concludes that further visual mitigation of the overhead transmission line by ScottishPower could be achieved through, Screen Planting, Landscaping, Tower Painting and Undergrounding of Lower Voltage Lines.

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While ScottishPower considered a number of other visual and landscape mitigation options it concluded that these were not appropriate. Either they did not improve the visual amenity, benefit the landscape or the cost could not be justified against ScottishPower’s statutory and licence duties - given the decision of the Scottish Minister or the sometimes limited visual and landscape benefit.

Frank Mitchell, ScottishPower Energy Networks Director, said: “In approving the upgraded power line in January, Scottish Ministers accepted that the proposed route was both logical and justified. This approved route was established through extensive planning and in-depth studies in order to find the most suitable location for the transmission line from a technical and environmental perspective.

“The further studies undertaken as part of the Report consider the terms of the Condition attached to the consent for the transmission line, the Scottish Ministers subsequent briefing note as well as a number of other measures suitable to contribute to a visual mitigation scheme.

“The measures in the Report have been identified following a balancing of environmental, technical and cost considerations. The publication of the Report provides an opportunity for ScottishPower to share its proposals for the visual and landscape mitigation as well as listen to the local communities and stakeholders.”

Copies of the Stirling Visual Impact Mitigation Scheme Consultation Report will be made available in a variety of different formats and locations including on ScottishPower’s website, by contacting the Beauly Denny Project Manager and through public viewing at Libraries in Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Stirling, Fallin, Bannockburn, Cowie and Plean as well as Stirling Council’s Viewforth Office.

(GK)