Lairg power station plan attacked

RESIDENTS have urged Scottish and Southern Energy not to sour good community relations by rushing into decisions about power upgrades affecting Lairg.

The warning came at a public meeting attended by company representatives last weekend which debated the options surrounding a new high-voltage power line and proposed sub-station.

The company stressed that all options remain on the table.

However, there is particular anger at the prospect of siting a sub-station the size of 10 football pitches within 50 feet of a residential house.

Company officials faced a 40-strong audience at Lairg Community Centre on Saturday morning to answer questions about their proposals.

They left with a flea in their ears after Lairg Community Council chairman Sandy Allison advised them: “When you return to your desks on Monday morning, I want you to have no doubt in your minds that this community will not accept the proposals here as they currently stand. For many years now, we have had a very positive working relationship with SSE, but if you decide to press ahead with certain sites and routes against the wishes of the community, this would no longer be the case.”

He questioned why a developer would consider siting a major development “within 50 feet of a man’s house when there are other options available.”

Project manager Andy McLaren explained that in order to meet the needs of energy producers in the north, and demands of consumers, a substantial transmission upgrade was essential.

He outlined the process for identifying favoured sites and routes in the area based on a mix of economic, technical and environmental factors.

Alex Dickson of Lairg Muir asked if SSE had deliberately used a map that was out of date. He pointed out that a house within 50 feet of the most favoured substation site had been omitted, while the Sutherland Arms Hotel, which was demolished several years ago, was marked.

Community liaison manager Gavin Steel attempted to reassure residents that the omission was not designed to be misleading. He said the map was the most up to date Ordnance Survey edition available and that SHE Transmission [SSE] had not altered the buildings or features shown other than to indicate the location of the site options.

Anne Morrison of Toroboll asked whether SSE would consider exploring “route 4”, its least favoured option for the 275kV line, but preferred by the community.

Mr Steel stated that the developer had a responsibility to make “careful economic assessments for all its developments so as not to pass on unnecessary costs to consumers”.

His colleague, Mr McLaren, added that no decision had been taken and that all options were still being considered.

Ms Morrison suggested that economic cost was not SSE’s sole concern and that it should take into account the financial implications for householders and businesses in the local community as part of its assessment.

She added that local people wanted reassurance that all proposed routes and sites would be thoroughly investigated.

Andrew Sutherland of Saval raised the issue of damage to high voltage lines and steel towers during periods of bad weather.

He argued that wind speeds and winter temperatures in Lairg could be extreme, with the potential for significant ice build-up on overhead lines.

Addressing the meeting, he said: “Thirty years ago, I saw a steel tower collapse like a match. It is madness to build these structures right next to dwelling houses.”

Mr Steel said such damage was rare, but that safety would be a fundamental requirement in the detailed design of any proposal.

Emma Armstrong of Community Action Lairg-Loch Buidhe (CORRECT) thanked the SSE representatives for attending and reminded people to complete response forms and submit them to SSE.

SSE’s consultation began with public exhibitions last month in Lairg and Bonar Bridge.

It has extended the deadline for responses from today (Friday) until noon next Monday.

Speaking on Tuesday, Andy McLaren told the Northern Times: “We would like to thank the residents who took the time to attend Saturday’s meeting.

“At this very early stage, no decisions have been taken and the purpose of our consultation is for us to hear people’s views.”

Comments can be submitted by email to gavin.steel@sse.com or by post to: Gavin Steel, Liaison Manager, SSE, 10 Henderson Road, Inverness, IV1 1SN or online at www.ssepd.co.uk/Lairg