‘Not a balanced or sustainable solution’: Call for Banniskirk Hub to be scaled down and relocated

A call has been made for the Banniskirk Hub development to be scaled down and relocated “to a less intrusive site”.

The suggestion is made in one of the 249 objections to the massive scheme proposed by SSEN Transmission alongside the A9, close to Halkirk and Spittal.

Jillian Bundy, chairperson of Caithness West Community Council, and writing on its behalf, describes Banniskirk Hub as “an oversized, poorly justified imposition on a community that has already contributed more than its fair share to renewable energy goals”.

Residents have voiced fears over visual impact, noise disturbance, greater flooding risk, reduced property prices, environmental destruction and damage to mental health.

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Banniskirk Hub plans have been developed ‘as sensitively as possible’

In her objection Mrs Bundy noted that the site would be larger than Halkirk while “vastly overshadowing Spittal”.

She wrote: “This sheer size represents an unprecedented level of industrialisation in a rural setting, fundamentally altering the landscape and way of life for residents. Caithness is known for its open countryside, not for sprawling industrial complexes.”

She argued that existing infrastructure, such as the Spittal 275kV substation, “is not operating at full capacity, and there’s no clear evidence that additional capacity is required here rather than closer to urban demand centres in the south”.

Mrs Bundy went on: “For those living nearby, such as at Achalone, the construction and operation of this hub threatens significant disruption. Residents have already endured the effects of the existing Spittal substation – noise, light pollution and traffic – and this much larger project will amplify those issues over years of construction and beyond.

“Property values could plummet, and the mental health of residents, already strained by a ‘tsunami’ of energy projects, will suffer further.

“The choice of this site, right next to the A9 and surrounded by homes, raises serious questions about site selection. Caithness has vast unpopulated areas that could host such infrastructure with far less impact on people and the environment.

“Additionally, investment in upgrading existing grid capacity further south, where demand is higher, would make better use of the energy already produced here, reducing the need for new construction in rural areas.

“The Banniskirk Hub is not a balanced or sustainable solution – it’s an oversized, poorly justified imposition on a community that has already contributed more than its fair share to renewable energy goals. If development must proceed, it should be scaled down significantly and relocated to a less intrusive site, with full consideration of local input and a clear demonstration of need.”

If it goes ahead, Banniskirk Hub will connect to the proposed 400kV overhead line between Spittal and Beauly and to the existing Spittal 275kV substation. It will include a new outdoor 400kV air insulated switchgear substation and an HVDC converter station.

The consultation period expired on March 24.

In February, Halkirk District Community Council hosted an extraordinary general meeting to take stock of major energy developments in the area. It was prompted by the Banniskirk Hub plans and drew a packed audience at the Ross Institute.

Residents have said they are suffering “major anxiety” over the development and are worried they could be forced from their homes if it goes ahead.

At the Halkirk meeting in February, Highland councillor Andrew Jarvie advised those opposing Banniskirk Hub that a scaled-down development may be the best they can hope for.

SSEN Transmission has said that it has sought to achieve “the best balance from an environmental and technical perspective”, while taking account of the views of local people.

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