A pre-determination hearing has been scheduled for next month to discuss the planning application for a proposed strategic electricity transmission hub at Netherton, near Peterhead.

The planning application (APP/2024/1714) outlines plans for a significant energy infrastructure development on land located to the west of Parkhill Farm, Blackhills. This includes the creation of a 400kV AC substation, a 132kV AC substation, two HVDC converter stations, a transmission hall, a spares warehouse, an operations base, and associated works.

The pre-determination hearing will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025. It will be held both in-person at Buchan House, St Peter Street, Peterhead, and virtually via Microsoft Teams.


Members of the public who wish to view the session can do so by attending the venue in person, although public seating is limited. Alternatively, the hearing will be available to watch via a Live Stream which will open at 6pm on June 4th.

It is important to note that pre-determination hearings are a formal part of the planning process and are not public consultation events. While they allow those who have already submitted valid representations on the planning application – as well as the applicant and statutory consultees – to express their views directly to councillors before any decision is reached, only those who made valid representations by the required deadline and indicated their wish to speak will be permitted to address the hearing.

No decision on the planning application will be made during the hearing. The session will be minuted, and all points raised will be formally presented to the Buchan area committee when it discusses the application at a later date. A report incorporating local views will then be brought before Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee for a final decision.