Ministers have approved plans to help minimise the cumulative visual impact of overhead lines around the new Beauly-Denny power line, including the removal of over 100km of existing overhead transmission line and steel pylons.

When the new line was approved by Scottish Ministers in January 2010, extensive conditions were imposed to protect the interests of communities and minimise the impact on the environment along the line.

As a result Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) are required to remove nearby existing overhead transmission lines in areas of the Highlands, the Cairngorms National Park and Perthshire, in addition to removing the existing 220km Beauly-Denny overhead line.

Four rationalisation schemes required by the consent and submitted by SHETL - covering the Cairngorms National Park, Balblair, Muthill and Errochty areas - have now been given the green light. The schemes will result in capital investment of around 50 million pounds.

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Approval of the schemes mean:

* Removing three sections of 132kV overhead transmission line and steel pylons, totalling 6km, around Beauly and replacing them with underground cables;

* Removing altogether 53km of 132kV overhead transmission line and steel pylons between Boat of Garten and Cairnmore in the Cairngorms National Park;

* Removing 40km of 132kV overhead transmission line and steel pylons between Etteridge and Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms National Park and replacing it with 33kV overhead lines supported by wooden poles, or underground cables;

* Removing sections of 132kV overhead transmission line and steel pylons around Whitebridge and around Amulree, totalling 10km, and replacing them with underground cables;

* Removing sections of overhead line in an around the village of Muthill, totalling 8km, and replacing them with underground cables.

Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "The Beauly - Denny upgrade will help to reinforce Scotland's electricity network, a vital link in our efforts to build a low carbon economy and tackle climate change. It will help our vast renewables potential to be harnessed, transmitted and exported.

"My approval of the Beauly Denny scheme was subject to a detailed and comprehensive range of conditions to protect the vital interests of communities, the environment, our cultural heritage and our tourism sector.

"A significant element of this required SSE to produce rationalisation schemes to mitigate the cumulative impact of the line in combination with other existing wirescape. The rationalisation schemes approved today will help us realise the benefits of renewables whilst acting to safeguard the landscape."

(GK)